A tale as old as time. Long before the emergence of film noir in the cinematic conscience. Long before hard-boiled novels, before silent-film vamps, before the puritanical notions of witchcraft took root. Back all the way to early mythology, to more formative, Biblical times. For as long as men have been telling stories, women have been around to lead them straight into darkness.


We return with a new season, focusing on another key element of film noir - the femme fatale. Join us for the next twenty-two episodes as we look at all the ways that the femme fatale has changed - and stayed the same - over the last hundred years of societal progress.

November 1, 2023

Introductory Conversation

November 8, 2023

Pandora's Box (1929)
The Blue Angel (1930)
La Chienne (1931)

November 15, 2023

La Bete Humaine (1938)
The Last Turning (1939)
Ossessione (1943)

November 22, 2023

Double Indemnity (1944)
Fallen Angel (1945)

November 29, 2023

Leave Her to Heaven (1945)
Mildred Pierce (1945)

December 6, 2023

Scarlet Street (1945)
Framed (1947)

December 13, 2023

The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)
Suspense (1946)

December 20, 2023

Gilda (1946)
The Lady From Shanghai (1947)

December 27, 2023

Death is a Caress (1949)
Story of a Love Affair (1950)

January 3, 2024

Clash By Night (1952)
Niagara (1953)

January 10, 2024

Angel Face (1953)
Human Desire (1954)