Crime

Crime films are films which focus on the lives and activities of criminals and/or those men and women who pursue them.

The stylistic approach to a crime film varies from realistic portrayals of real-life criminal figures, to the far-fetched evil doings of imaginary arch-villains.

Criminal acts are almost always glorified in these movies as successive generations of viewers become inured to the nastiness of the crimes focused on.

Crime Sub Genres:

Mod/Gangster

Mob/Ganster films are a sub-genre of crime films that center on organised crime. Often the plot revolves around the rise and fall of the organised crime leader and many gangster films explore the destructive nature of organised crime. 

There are many example of Mob/Gangster sub-genre films they are:

• Goodfellas
• Scarface
• The Godfather trilogy

Film-Noir

Film-Noir is a distinctive genre purely because it is a stylistic type of crime drama that was popular throughout the 1940's and 1950's. Film-Noir is categorised by a black and white visual style and its stark lighting effects. The Film-Noir genre relies heavily on a narrative voice and various flashbacks to explain the plot.

Examples of different Film-Noir's:

• Sunset Boulevard
• The Maltese Falcon
• Sweet Smell

Neo-Noir

Neo-Noir refers to modern film that takes on characteristics of Film-Noir. Modern updates are made within Neo-Noir in terms of media and visual elements. Neo-Noir films update themes and content to fit with current society. 

Examples of Neo-Noir sub-genre films are:

• Sin City
• L.A Confidential
• Chinatown

Crime Thriller

Crime thriller is a sub-genre that incorporates the suspenseful aspects of a thriller with a crime film plot. This sub-genre usually centers around a serial killer, murderer, robbery or manhunt. This is different to traditional crime films because the storyline focuses on the protagonist and the criminal. 

Example of Crime thriller sub-genre films are:

• The usual suspects
• Seven
• Reservoir Dogs