What is a key characteristic of the film noir style?

A key characteristic of the film noir style is high-contrast lighting and moral ambiguity. This aesthetic is crucial to establishing the distinctive, moody atmosphere that defines film noir. The use of chiaroscuro lighting creates deep shadows and stark contrasts, enhancing the film's sense of tension and unpredictability. Additionally, moral ambiguity is central to the narrative structure of film noir, where characters often exist in moral gray areas, facing complex ethical dilemmas that blur the lines between good and evil. This contributes to a sense of cynicism and existential despair, hallmark traits of the genre that resonate deeply with audiences.

Other options do not accurately encapsulate the essence of film noir. Bright, colorful cinematography is generally associated with more optimistic genres, while fast-paced editing and humor suggest a lighter tone that contrasts sharply with the somber themes typical of film noir. Fantasy themes and optimistic endings also stray from the often bleak resolutions found in noir films, making those alternatives less fitting descriptors of the style.