Double Indemnity is possibly the definitive film noir. It features a sharp, literate screenplay with great dialogue (Raymond Chandler worked on the script), a stylish, cool and erotic mise-en-scene by director Billy Wilder, and a stunning performance by Barbara Stanwyck who, in this film, is queen of the femme fatales. She plays a bewitching ice-princess who seduces a crooked insurance agent (Fred MacMurray) into helping her kill her husband to cash in on his insurance policy. This malevolant, spell-binding thriller is based on James M. Cain’s classic pulp novel. Cast also includes Edward G. Robinson.
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How to watch
Collection
In ACMI's collection
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
305887
Language
English
Audience classification
PG
Subject categories
Courtroom, Crime, Espionage & Thrillers
Courtroom, Crime, Espionage & Thrillers → Film noir
Crime, Espionage, Justice, Police & Prisons → Murder
Family, Gender Identity, Relationships & Sexuality → Seduction
Sound/audio
Sound
Colour
Black and White
Holdings
VHS; Access Print (Section 1)