Sometimes the best cinematic experiences are when a mystery grips you right away, and by the end, you don't see any of the twists coming. Taking pointers from the classic film noir genre, which had its heyday in the '40s-early '60s, neo-noirs do exactly that.
From the '70s to the present, great neo-noir movies borrow characteristics from the original genre: moody lighting and stark cinematography, a plot centered around crime or misdeeds, a main character who's conflicted but determined, and themes that center around ambiguity and tumult. They've also expanded to include action, comedy, and even sci-fi elements; in fact, the best neo-noirs take the iconic form and evolve it in some way. So if you like murder-mystery whodunnits or enticing thrillers, or you're hoping to try some more modern iterations, here are the best neo-noirs to watch as soon as you can.
