Tag Descriptions – Heart Of Noir

Tag Descriptions

Click on a tag below for a list of films with that attribute.

At least one character is/was an aspiring or professional actor

Marital infidelity takes place

At least one scene is set inside a commercial, private, or military aircraft

At least one character struggles with alcohol abuse

At least one character is/was a professional or aspiring artist

Sculpture, painting, or other work of art is highlighted

At least one scene takes place in Asia

At least one character is/was a competitive athlete

At least one scene takes place on a sandy beach

Plot involves blackmail

At least one scene takes place aboard a watercraft

Two or more brothers are present or significant to the plot

At least one scene is set on a bus

Widely considered part of the classic American noir canon

A motor vehicle crashes or drives off a cliff

At least one scene is set at a carnival, circus, fair, or amusement park

At least one scene is set in a casino

At least one scene includes a feline

Set primarily in Chicago

At least one character is a preteen child

Contains overt Christian themes and/or symbolism

At least one scene takes place at Christmastime

At least one scene is set inside a church

At least one scene is set in a classroom

Threat of communism and/or nuclear war is present

Film was produced in full color

Plot involves government or police corruption

Plot includes counterfeit money or goods

At least one scene takes place in a courtroom

Plot involves the planned concealment of a crime and evidence

Film is odd, obscure, or unusual but still offers unique appeal

At least one scene takes place in a diner

At least one character has a physical disability

At least one scene includes a canine

Contains dream or nightmare sequence

At least one character is perceived to be wandering with no firm destination

At least one character drowns

Plot includes the use or trafficking of illegal narcotics

At least one scene takes place in Europe

Plot involves the imminent threat or carrying out of state execution

At least one explosion occurs

At least one scene is set on a farm

At least one character is killed by a fall from heights

Life or property are damaged by fire

Foreign Language 345

Primary spoken language is not English

At least one character is deliberately set up to appear guilty of a crime

At least one character is fleeing from police custody

At least one scene involves a funeral or wake

At least one character is a member of an organized crime syndicate

Plot involves willful deception aimed at making someone feel confused or crazy

Contains a theoretically homosexual character or homoerotic scene

Film has a style and/or setting associated with Gothic literature

At least one scene is set in a graveyard or cemetery

An elaborate theft or robbery is planned and/or executed

Hitchhiking-Pickup 40

Driver picks up stranger in at least one scene

One character is employed/paid to kill another

Home Invasion 55

At least one scene involves forced entry into a private home

Plot involves the return of a character after extended absence (prison, college, etc.)

A horse appears in at least one scene (westerns excluded)

At least one scene is set in a hospital

At least one scene takes place in a hotel room or hotel lobby

Plot involves confusion or deception around personal identity

Plot involves potential inheritance of assets

Plot somehow involves an insurance policy

Plot involves valuable jewels or jewelry

At least one character works in journalism

Kidnapping-Hostage 160

At least one character is kidnapped or held against their will

Plot includes labor disputes or unions

At least one scene is set in some kind of laboratory

Latin America 114

At least one scene is set in Latin America

Set primarily in London

Set primarily in Los Angeles

At least one character struggles to remember past events due to amnesia or intoxication

At least one scene is set in a morgue

At least one scene is set in the mountains

Movie Theater 45

At least one scene is set at a movie theater

Musical Number 147

At least one full-length song is sung live onstage or in a nightclub

At least one character is/was a professional or aspiring musician

Film set largely on a ship or in a nautical setting

German Nazis are present or referenced

Set primarily in New York City

Two characters get married or have recently done so

A nun is present in at least one scene

At least one scene involves an occult-related practice (seance, hypnosis, mind reading)

Set primarily in Paris

Film is set in an earlier era (westerns excluded)

Plot involves actual or attempted poisoning

At least one scene is set in or near a swimming pool

At least one scene is set in a local police precinct building.

At least one character is or becomes pregnant

A priest appears in at least one scene

At least one scene takes place inside a prison (not a jail)

At least one scene involves a private investigator

Prostitution 105

Prostitution is present or implied

Psychiatric Hospital 20

At least one scene is set in a psychiatric hospital or asylum

Race Relations 34

Racial/ethnic prejudice or conflict is present

At least one scene is set at a racetrack (cars, horses, etc.)

Plot involves someone seeking or exacting revenge for a past wrong or betrayal

At least one scene involves the assembly of a threatening crowd

A safe or vault appears in at least one scene

San Francisco 20

Set primarily in San Francisco

At least one character's body has a noticeable scar

Serial Killer 40

Plot involves the threat or presence of a serial killer

Two or more sisters are present or significant to the plot

A small town setting is relevant to the plot (westerns excluded)

Plot involves illegal trafficking of goods or people

Snow is seen falling and/or on the ground

Sporting Event 56

At least one scene involves a sporting event

Police or criminals secretly monitor a location in at least one scene

Strangulation 89

Death or near death by strangulation occurs

At least one scene is set in a subway train, station, or tunnel

Suicide is committed, attempted, or contemplated

A television set is turned on in at least one scene

Thunderstorm 141

A thunderstorm can be seen or heard in at least one scene

At least one scene involves the deliberate infliction of severe pain

At least one scene is set aboard a train

Truck driver appears in at least one scene

Film is based on or inspired by true events

At least one character feigns an identity to gain access or information

At least one character formerly served in the armed services

At least one scene involves spying for sexual titillation

Film is classified in the western genre

Perpetrator of a central crime is unknown until the end

At least one character is/was a professional or aspiring author (excludes journalism)