Some of the best representations of the character of the femme fatale, a type that has always played an essential part in film noirs and a tradition that has been carried on in more modern films. We are not talking about superwomen/action girls/just sexy and attractive women in films or musicals but really those who fit the dark, borken and manipulative side that defines femme fatale, in the film noir sense. Some examples: – Gloria Swanson in Sunset Boulevard (although she is quite atypical and so much more) – Barbara Stanwyck in Double Indemnity – Anne Savage in Detour (B films are interesting ones) – Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction – Lee Remick in Anatomy of a Murder – Anne Bancroft in The Graduate – Gene Tierney in Laura Hunt
Cool article, would be interesting to see someone's take on the genre's reactions to political and social issues. Compare femme fatale characters from specific time periods e.g. Stanwyck in Double Indemnity to Amy Dunne in Gone Girl etc. – Thomas Munday9 years ago
You could also explore a less human angle in more recent films Under the Skin and Ex-Machina if you've seen them. – Marcus Dean9 years ago
Sharon Stone in <I>Basic Instinct</I>, definitely. – Monique9 years ago