Movies

How Film Noir Influenced ‘Blade Runner’

A new video essay explores the perfect marriage between noir and sci-fi in ‘Blade Runner.’
By  · Published on October 6th, 2017

A new video essay explores the perfect marriage between noir and sci-fi in ‘Blade Runner.’

Crime-laden cities, dark, rainy backdrops, hard-boiled detectives, femme fatales, morally skewed characters, a pessimistic worldview — these are just a few of the characteristics that define film noir. But since its inception in the 1940s, noir has evolved to encompass a variety of genres, including science fiction. We have Blade Runner to thank for that.

Youtube user Lessons of the Screenplay’s video essay looks at how elements of film noir were implemented by Ridley Scott to create his bleak vision of the future back in 1982. The aesthetics of noir are central to Blade Runner’s complex themes, and the film’s impact on our pop culture has shown what a perfect marriage it was.

 

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