Noir fiction is not just detective stories. Its dark allure extends to a variety of plot structures, each emphasizing the complexities of human nature, the inevitability of fate, and the often futile struggle against corruption. In this chapter, we’ll dive into different types of noir plots, covering both traditional detective stories and broader subgenres of noir. From investigations led by flawed detectives to tales of doomed love and heists gone wrong, understanding these plot types will help you craft a noir story that’s compelling, rich in tension, and true to the genre’s essence.
1. The Detective Noir Plot
When most people think of noir, they think of a cynical private detective solving a mystery. This classic plot structure is iconic, but it’s important to bring fresh elements to the table to make it your own.
The Hardboiled Detective: The protagonist of this type of noir plot is often a private detective with a hardened outlook on life. He’s seen it all—the corruption, the lies, and the brutality of the human condition. Raymond Chandler’s The Big Sleep is an excellent example, where Philip Marlowe, the hard-drinking private eye, is thrust into a case filled with deceit and moral compromise. What makes this type of plot compelling is the detective’s personal investment in the case and the ways their flaws push them into morally gray territory.
The Whodunit with a Noir Twist: A traditional whodunit plot can take on a noir flavor by focusing on characters whose motives are tinged with personal guilt, desire, or desperation. In The Maltese Falcon, Sam Spade’s quest for the truth is complicated by the deceit of those around him and his own morally questionable actions. This kind of noir thrives on ambiguity, with the detective not always interested in delivering justice but rather in surviving or outmaneuvering those trying to manipulate him.
The Investigative Conspiracy: Here, the protagonist uncovers a web of corruption that goes beyond a single crime. The narrative is driven by layers of deceit and powerful adversaries who want the truth buried. In Chinatown, J.J. Gittes begins by investigating a simple case of marital infidelity, only to unravel a complex conspiracy involving water rights, murder, and betrayal. The conspiracy noir plot emphasizes the protagonist’s struggle against forces far greater than themselves, often leaving them scarred or defeated.
2. The Non-Detective Noir Plot
Not every noir story needs a detective. In fact, some of the most compelling noir tales center on regular individuals whose lives spiral out of control.
The Heist Gone Wrong: Heist stories are fertile ground for noir. They’re inherently risky, and when things go wrong, the consequences can be catastrophic. In The Asphalt Jungle, a group of criminals comes together to pull off a jewelry heist, but things inevitably unravel due to betrayal, greed, and bad luck. The heist gone wrong emphasizes the futility of trying to beat the odds in a world that’s stacked against the characters, illustrating the noir theme that crime rarely pays.
The Doomed Romance: Noir thrives on love that is destined to fail. In Double Indemnity, Walter Neff is drawn into a passionate affair with Phyllis Dietrichson, but their romance is based on deceit and murder, leading inevitably to their downfall. Doomed romance plots work well in noir because they highlight the destructive power of desire, making it clear that love can be just as dangerous and corrupt as any other vice.
The Fatalistic Tale: This type of plot focuses on a protagonist caught in circumstances beyond their control, often driven by their own flaws toward an inescapable fate. In Out of the Past, Jeff Bailey tries to leave behind his dark past and live a quiet life, but fate and former associates catch up with him, dragging him back into a world he thought he had escaped. Fatalistic tales emphasize the inevitability of doom, with characters unable to escape the consequences of their past actions.
3. Hybrid Noir Plots
Many great noir stories blend elements from different types of plots to create something unique.
The Romantic Mystery: This combines elements of a love story with a mystery that drives the plot forward. The romance is typically fraught with complications, often involving secrets, lies, or betrayal. In Body Heat, the protagonist is led into a deadly scheme through his romantic involvement with a woman who has her own agenda. The romantic mystery noir works because it ties the mystery directly to the protagonist’s emotional vulnerability, raising the stakes in every encounter.
The Antihero’s Descent: In some noirs, the protagonist starts as someone seemingly in control but gradually loses everything due to their own moral failings. In Scarlet Street, Edward G. Robinson’s character is a mild-mannered man who becomes infatuated with a femme fatale, leading to his moral decline and ultimate ruin. This type of plot uses the protagonist’s descent to explore how easily a person can lose control of their life when tempted by desire or greed.
4. Choosing the Right Plot for Your Noir Story
Selecting the right type of noir plot depends on the kind of story you want to tell and the themes you wish to explore:
For Exploration of Corruption: Consider an investigative conspiracy plot. This type allows you to dig deep into systemic issues and explore the rot at the core of institutions.
For Personal Tragedy: A doomed romance or fatalistic tale is ideal if you want to focus on how personal flaws and passions lead to a character’s undoing.
For High Stakes and Action: A heist gone wrong or a hybrid romantic mystery can provide plenty of suspense and tension, making it ideal for readers looking for fast-paced, high-stakes drama.
5. Adding Fresh Twists to Classic Noir Plots
To make your noir plot stand out, it’s essential to bring something new to the table. Here are some ways to add fresh twists:
Subvert Expectations: Play with genre tropes to keep readers guessing. For example, what if the hardboiled detective is actually working against the client? Or what if the femme fatale turns out to genuinely love the protagonist but is trapped by circumstances?
Change the Setting: Classic noir is often urban, but placing your noir story in an unexpected setting can make it feel fresh. Consider rural noir (as in Winter’s Bone), suburban noir (Blue Velvet), or even futuristic noir (Blade Runner). The setting can become an important character itself, shaping the tone and direction of the story.
Non-Linear Storytelling: Playing with time can add depth and intrigue. By telling your story out of sequence, you can create suspense and mystery as readers piece together how events led to the protagonist’s downfall. In Memento, the fragmented narrative helps convey the protagonist’s disoriented mental state, which adds to the overall noir atmosphere.
Noir fiction is versatile, allowing writers to explore different facets of human nature, morality, and fate. Whether you’re drawn to a classic detective story, a heist gone wrong, or a tale of doomed love, the key is to root your plot in rich, flawed characters and an atmosphere thick with tension and ambiguity. Think about the themes you want to explore and how different types of noir plots can serve those themes. Use the examples provided to find inspiration, but don’t be afraid to innovate—noir is as much about breaking rules as it is about following them.
In the end, remember that the best noir plots are those that linger with the reader, not just because of the twists and turns of the narrative, but because of what they reveal about the darker side of humanity. So choose your plot, embrace the shadows, and lead your characters down paths from which there may be no return.
