French film critic Nino Frank came up with the term "film noir" (translation: "black cinema") back in 1946 to describe Hollywood films with dark themes.
Fast forward to today: you can peruse 100 of the most iconic film noir flicks from the past century in Taschen's weighty new tome, Film Noir. 100 All-Time Favorites.
And currently, you can watch eight of these films on Netflix. Taken together, books and movies make for the perfect weekend binge.
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"The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari," 1920
Directed by Robert Wiene.
This silent horror film makes reference to social issues during World War I and juxtaposes reality with a dreamworld. If you enjoy plot twists, you will relish every second of this classic.
"Sunset Boulevard," 1950
Directed by Billy Wilder.
This Oscar-winning film — for Best Score, Best Art Direction for a Black-and-White Film, and Best Original Screenplay — makes unforgettable storytelling out of Hollywood's tendency to throw away talent with age. The plot is laced with love, murder, and plenty of tragedy.
"The Conversation," 1974
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola.
Filmed during the Watergate scandal that prompted president Richard Nixon's resignation on August 9, 1974, this political thriller, an updated noir, questions the invasion of privacy through audio surveillance. The film reminds us that even the walls have ears.
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