Pulp noir is a term used to describe media that constitute a sub-genre of things influenced by various "noir" genres, as well as (as implied by its name) pulp fiction genres, particularly the hard-boiled genre which help give rise to film noir. Pulp noir is marked by its use of classic noir techniques, but with urban influences. Various media include film, illustrations, photographs and videogames.

In film

Whereas film noir directly involves characters living bleak existences to accomplish a goal with odds against them, pulp noir often portrays a grittier, one-man army. Typically, the main character has no distinguishing abilities, but can hold ground against seemingly impossible odds. Pulp noir locations are often seedy, run-down and degradated urban landscapes, where the lack of law, morals and even the proliferation of crime and drugs are common themes. Another common trend in pulp noir is the glorification and/or demonization of its urban locations.

Examples of films that have been referred to as pulp noir include:

• The film adaptation of Frank Miller's Sin City ^[1]
• The Clint Eastwood film Million Dollar Baby ^[2]
• The Paul McGuigan film Lucky Number Slevin ^[3]

In other media

Some illustrations and photographs are described as being pulp noir. For example, the Maureen Dowd book Are Men Necessary? When Sexes Collide features cover art that was called pulp noir for its depiction of a stereotypical urban scene of shady men on a subway car leering at a sexy, confident woman. Recently, some video games, such as the Max Payne third-person shooter series, have been portrayed in a film noir style, using heavy, gritty, dirty urban themes. ^[4] SF Weekly journalist Matt Smith used the term to describe the act of "sprinting to the crime scene, skidding on my heels, and yelling at everyone and nobody in particular: 'Who's in charge here?'" ^[5]

Notes

See also

• Neo-noir
• Pulp magazines

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