Top 10 Femme Fatales of All Time Ranked

There's an old French saying, “cherchez la femme,” which literally translates as “look for the woman.” It has been used relentlessly in the film noir genre, indicating that most problems are likely caused by a woman – usually a femme fatale. Although the phrase has often been used in a misogynistic manner, the women of film noir have evolved into evocative characters that audiences root for and admire. Sure, they can still spell trouble for the male protagonist, but that's half the fun.

With the broad scope of women in film noir over the years, the best femme fatales go beyond the stereotypical villain trope. Many of them are intelligent, devious and ambitious. Or, in some cases, they are simply dangerous through no fault of their own. Some rely on sexual appeal, while others use their powers of coercion and deception. No matter where their talents lie, the best femme fatales always get what they want – even though they may regret it.

10

Natalie (Carrie Anne-Moss) in Remembering

Bartender Natalie leverages Leonard's memory for her own nefarious means

Before driving The Dark Knight trilogy, Christopher Nolan wrote and directed the groundbreaking mystery thriller Memory. A story told backwards, Memory stars Guy Pearce as Leonard, a man with a rare disease that impairs his short-term memory. While it may not follow the conventional film noir style (or any style), it offers a unique femme fatale in Carrie Anne-Moss's Natalie.

While searching for his wife's killer, Leonard meets Natalie, a bartender who decides to help him with his revenge. It turns out that Leonard killed Natalie's drug dealer boyfriend, although, of course, he doesn't remember it. Earning your trust, Natalie manipulates Leonard into doing her dirty work for her. Even when she tells him to his face that she's going to use it, Leonard completely forgets about it minutes later. From the moment she meets him, Natalie fully exploits Leonard's condition for her own ends.

9

Dorothy Valens (Isabella Rossellini) in blue velvet

A nightclub singer who woos a young man fresh out of college

David Lynch's neo-noir thriller Blue Velvet it's a psychological mess that has put the quirky writer-director on Hollywood's radar. Returning home from college, Jeffrey Beaumont (Kyle MacLachlan) finds himself entangled in the dark and violent world of nightclub singer Dorothy Valens (Isabella Rossellini). As his fascination turns into obsession, Jeffrey is drawn into Dorothy's world. of sadomasochism and danger.

While Dorothy may not be a murderer, she is partially responsible for the death of Jeffrey's innocence. The horrific abuse she suffers at the hands of madman Frank Booth (Dennis Hopper) leaves her psychologically scarred, resulting in her unwittingly pulling Jeffrey into his complicated web. Dorothy's sympathetic situation, coupled with her psychosexual seduction, make her one of the best modern femme fatales.

8

Gilda (Rita Hayworth) in Gilda

A gangster's wife with iconic hair

Even those who didn't see 1946 Gilda You'll instantly recognize stunning film noir actress Rita Hayworth as one of the genre's most notorious women. When crooked gambler Johnny Farrell (Glenne Ford) is hired by gangster Ballin Mundson (George Macready) to help run his Argentine casino, he doesn't expect to run into his old flame, Gilda. Eventually, the rift between the two ex-lovers explodes into a torrid love affair.

From her iconic hairstyle to her stellar performance of “Put the Blame on Mame,” Gilda exudes feminine appeal and confidence.. As if being a gangster's wife didn't make her dangerous enough, Gilda seems to insult Johnny at every turn, making her even more deadly. No wonder Johnny can't seem to stay away from her, even when Gilda points out to him that “hate is a very strong emotion.”

7

Violet and Corky (Jennifer Tilly and Gina Gershon) on the edge

Lovers planning to steal money from a gangster

The Wachowskis' feature film directorial debut, Linked is an erotic neo-noir starring Jennifer Tilly as Violet, the girlfriend of a dangerous mobster, Caesar (Joe Pantoliano). Her lover, Corky (Gina Gerson), is an ex-convict, and their affair sets off a series of deadly events. When the two women plan to steal Caesar's money and escape, things change quickly as they fight for their survival.

Gershon and Tilly are electrifying together on screen, but more than that, they provide an accurate and positive portrayal of a lesbian couple. According to the DVD commentary for Linked, The Wachowskis hired feminist and sexuality expert Susie Bright to help write and choreograph the film's sex scenes. The care that was put into the relationship between the two protagonists really shows, making Corky and Violet not only equally formidable femme fatales, but also strong women to root for.

6

Brigid O'Shaughnessy (Mary Astor) in The Maltese Falcon

Sam Spade is putty in the hands of this legendary Femme Fatale

From the moment Brigid O'Shaughnessy walked into his office, Sam Spade (Humphrey Bogart) knew she was trouble. Although Brigid puts on a good damsel in distress act, Sam doesn't believe it for a second. It seems like every time She opens her mouth, the lies still spill out. Despite his common sense, Sam can't help but fall in love with her..

The Maltese Falcon is the quintessential film noir classic that everyone else seeks to emulate. Brigid's situation is so compelling that even Sam has a hard time throwing her under the bus, even though he knows she was the one who killed his partner. Does she really love him or is she just using him to save her own skin? The film's ending keeps this question open for interpretation, but either way, Brigid becomes a legendary femme fatale.

5

Mrs. Danvers (Judith Anderson) in Rebecca

Danvers is determined to avenge the deceased Rebecca

Alfred Hitchcock's adaptation of Daphne du Maurier Rebecca is one of the director's best, with much of the credit given to the cast's performance. When wealthy aristocrat Maxim de Winter (Laurence Olivier) brings home a young woman and introduces her as his new bride, housekeeper Mrs. Danvers is less than thrilled. The steadfast woman does everything she can to harm the new Mrs. de Winter (Joan Fontaine), reminding her that Maxim's first wife, Rebecca, was a much more sophisticated woman and a more desirable match.

Not all femme fatales are defined by their sex appeal, and Ms. Danvers is the perfect example. At every turn, the governess pursues Winter's naive bride, manipulating her to the brink of insanity. Mrs. Danvers' love and loyalty for the late Rebecca is an obsession that leads her to murder, and she will stop at nothing to sabotage the couple's happiness.

4

Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone) in Basic Instinct

Catherine exudes sexual confidence while insisting she is innocent

Although fraught with controversy, the 1992 erotic thriller Basic Instinct is still hailed as a neo-noir classic. While investigating the murder of a rock star, Detective Nick Curran (Michael Douglas) falls in love with novelist Catherine Tramell, the number one suspect in the case. Although Catherine has been cleared of the crime, Nick still has his suspicions, but he can't seem to keep away from the dangerously seductive woman.

Arguably her most famous role, Sharon Stone's portrayal of Catherine Tramell in Basic Instinct It's what made her a star. A powerful woman who doesn't apologize for her open sexualityCatherine's conviction is so persuasive that the audience truly wants to believe in her innocence. Therein lies the problem, as Nick falls so much in love with her that he easily falls into her trap. It's only when the film's final scene reveals the ice pick under Catherine's bed that we realize that Nick – like the audience – has been fooled.

3

Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson) in Sunset Boulevard

A former movie star looking to feel relevant again – no matter what

Directed and co-written by the legendary Billy Wilder, Sunset Avenue is among not only the best films noir, but also one of the best films in the history of cinema. An ambitious screenwriter struggling to succeed in Hollywood, Joe Gillis (William Holden) has the opportunity to meet former silent film star Norma Desmond, an elderly woman looking to relive her glory days. Norma clings to Joe in an effort to feel younger and more relevant, leading to deadly consequences for Joe. despite his sympathy for the forgotten star.

Nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress, Swanson's legendary performance is the highlight of Sunset Avenue. Fueled by desperation, Norma's aspirations for a big comeback in Hollywood make it easy for her to believe the lies that surround her. When the illusion is destroyed, she kills Joe and sinks completely into madness. The crazed look on Norma's face as she looks into the camera for her close-up is a chilling final frame, one that places her in the femme fatale hall of fame.

2

Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck) in double compensation

The ultimate femme fatale who seduces an innocent man to do her dirty work

Another iconic Billy Wilder film noir, Double Indemnity defined the femme fatale archetype with Phyllis Dietrichson. When insurance salesman Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) first enters the Dietrichson home, he immediately falls in love with the Dietrichson's beautiful wife. So much in love, in fact, that It takes almost no effort for Phyllis to coerce Walter into murdering her husband so they can both collect on their life insurance.

Although she may play innocent at first, Phyllis is as criminal as they come. His talent lies in keeping his own hands clean while making others do his dirty work, and Walter is just his first victim. By the time he realizes he has been tricked, it is already too late.

1

Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike) in Gone Girl

The modern Femme Fatale who makes the audience scream “Good for her!”

Based on the best-selling book by Gillian Flynn, missing girl is the story of a scorned woman and her husband who suffers her revenge. On their fifth wedding anniversary, Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) returns home to discover that his wife, Amy, is missing. Naturally, Nick is the police's number one suspect, but as clues begin to pile up, it soon becomes clear that Amy has orchestrated an elaborate plot to ensure her husband is arrested for her murder.

The character Amy Dunne redefined the modern femme fataleas she perfectly constructs a narrative puzzle piece by deceptive piece. As his secret is uncovered, Nick discovers that Amy has a history of psychopathic behavior. Still, audiences can't help but admire Amy's cunning and talent for manipulation.