Horror noir

Horror noir (sometimes referred to as noir horror, and less often as horror-noir (hyphenated); lit. 'black horror') is a film subgenre that blends elements of horror and noir genres. It is presented in a dark, brooding tone, style, or mood for the majority of the film while also providing terrifying sequences and prospects. Films described as part of this genre are primarily intended to play the audience through their darker and more fatalistic elements, to the point where the plotline is effectively turned negative due to its suspenseful and cynical atmosphere. Films with noir aspects may be considered akin to some that characterize gothic fiction in that their primary purpose is to create a sense of suspense and gloom.^[1][2][3]

The horror noir genre may be considered a subgenre of horror crime or crime horror films.

Films described as horror noir films include Among the Living,^[4] The Mask of Diijon,^[5] The Night of the Hunter,^[6] The Phantom Speaks, The Red House,^[7] The Spiral Staircase,^[8] or, more recently -among what may be called neo-noir horror films-, Blood Simple,^[9] Shutter Island, Lost Highway, and Mulholland Drive.^[10][11]