neonoir

Neon noir, or neonoir, is a term used to describe a contemporary strain of noir cinema and related media that foregrounds neon-lit urban aesthetics and a somber, morally ambiguous mood. Building on classic film noir and neo-noir, neonoir blends noir tropes—crime, corruption, fatalism, antiheroes—with vibrant, often saturating lighting and futuristic or urban settings.

Visual style and motifs include neon signage, rain-slick streets, reflective surfaces, and color palettes that favor blues, pinks, and electric hues. The cinematography tends toward high-contrast lighting, stylized compositions, and deliberate urban density to create atmosphere and tension. Narratives typically center on crime, betrayal, and the erosion of trust, with protagonists who operate in gray areas and face existential crises.

Origins and scope: the term emerged in late 20th-century film criticism as filmmakers absorbed influences from Hong Kong cinema, cyberpunk, and modern thrillers, extending noir into contemporary urban landscapes. It overlaps with neo-noir but emphasizes the sensory, neon-drenched ambience rather than solely detective plots.

Notable examples widely associated with neonoir include Blade Runner (1982) and Blade Runner 2049 (2017), Drive (2011), Only God Forgives (2013), and Neon Demon (2016). The label is also used for certain video games and television series that foreground neon-inflected mood and noir tone. Neonoir continues to inform modern crime dramas and genre hybrids, reflecting digital-age anxieties alongside a distinctive visual vocabulary.