FAQ About The Role of Cinematic Lighting in Film Noir Aesthetics

Compared to other stylistic film genres, film noir heavily relies on low-key lighting to create mood and underscore narrative themes. While genres like musicals or rom-coms use high-key lighting to evoke a bright, positive atmosphere, film noir uses light and shadow to build tension and highlight moral complexities. This distinct use of lighting helps differentiate film noir, making it readily identifiable by its visual characteristics.