Comparison Of Blade Runner And Double Indemnity

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Blade Runner and Double Indemnity
Blade Runner (1982), an essential film in the science fiction canon, depicts Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) as he tries to track down the last replicants (bioengineered androids) on Earth. His mission to “retire” the remaining replicants turns complicated when he falls in love with one of them, causing him an existential crisis. Although Blade Runner is a notable example of the science fiction genre, it shares many similarities with some of the classic films noir. For the purpose of this paper, a comparison based on visual style, character types and narrative patterns between neo-noir Blade Runner and classic noir Double Indemnity (1944) will be made.
Visual style is one of the many elements that these two …show more content…

In Double Indemnity, Barbara Stanwyck’s character is the quintessential femme fatale: seductive, cunning, manipulative, and evil. Phyllis and her stepdaughter—the only other female character in the story—truly exemplify the virgin/whore dichotomy. Although the male protagonist is morally ambiguous and complex in Billy Wilder’s film, there are no gray areas when it comes to the women; they are perceived as either good or evil. Blade Runner however, goes beyond good and evil. At first, Rachael seems quite cool and in complete control of the situation, but Deckard is able to break down her walls and uncover her emotional side. Even though she is noble, she still has a dangerous quality to her, which prevents her from becoming a two-dimensional character. Although the viewer’s first encounter with Rachael might suggest she is the femme fatale type, Pris (a female replicant) is closer to the archetype. When Pris meets the genetic designer, Sebastian, outside his apartment, she uses her femininity to trick him. More specifically, Pris manipulates Sebastian to make him believe she is homeless and defenseless, which causes him to bring her into his home. Even though Pris seems to genuinely like Sebastian, she realizes he is quite naïve and uses that to her advantage. However, her motivations are more complex than …show more content…

Its visual style is comparable to that of classical films noir such as Double Indemnity because it features low-key lighting, urban settings, and the iconic Venetian blinds to create a gloomy atmosphere. Additionally, these visual elements emphasize the pessimism, anxiety, and overall isolation of the protagonists, which have very similar traits. Both Rick Deckard and Walter Neff are anti-heroes who have questionable morals and seem to be alienated individuals. Although both male protagonists are alike, the female characters in Blade Runner are far more complex than Phyllis Dietrichson and her stepdaughter. Rachael is noble but has an edge to her, while Pris, in spite of her manipulative actions, seems to genuinely like Sebastian and is trying to ensure the survival of her species. An additional characteristic that set Double Indemnity and Blade Runner apart is the fact that the latter does not make use of the voice over / flashback technique. Instead, Ridley Scott’s film opts for a more ambiguous ending, which makes it more thought

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