Fantastic Neo-Noir Films from the 90s You May Have Overlooked

      Casey Chong showcases a collection of overlooked neo-noir films from the 1990s.

      The decade produced several remarkable neo-noirs, ranging from Warren Beatty's vibrant, comic strip-inspired Dick Tracy (1990) to Abel Ferrara's stark Bad Lieutenant (1992) and the Oscar-winning L.A. Confidential (1997). However, it also gave rise to several lesser-known neo-noirs that were either forgotten or largely unnoticed upon release. Here, we've gathered eight underrated neo-noir films from the 1990s that deserve your attention.

      **Sand Trap (1997)**

      This underappreciated neo-noir thriller is the directorial debut of Harris Done, who co-wrote the screenplay with Jerry Rapp. Its plot resembles Roy Ward Baker’s 1953 thriller Inferno, where the main character is abandoned to die in the desert by his wife and her lover. Despite its low budget, the film appears well-crafted, as Done's experience as a cinematographer helps him vividly portray the intense heat of the Mojave Desert.

      Though the lead actors – David John James, Elizabeth Morehead, and Brad Koepenick – are relatively unknown, they deliver strong performances, with Morehead standing out as the manipulative and cold-hearted wife of James’s mild-mannered businessman, determined to see him dead. Sand Trap captivates through its blend of various genres—sleazy erotic-thriller elements, dark comedy, and surreal humor—providing an entertaining experience over its brisk 100-minute runtime.

      **Kiss or Kill (1997)**

      This mostly forgotten Australian neo-noir stars then-up-and-coming Frances O’Connor, who later appeared in Mansfield Park and A.I. Artificial Intelligence. Writer-director Bill Bennett presents the film's forbidden lovers on the run (O’Connor and Matt Day) in a documentary style filled with improvisation. This spontaneity offers the actors, including O’Connor and Day, the freedom to ad-lib their dialogue. The chaotic circumstances of their characters, who become fugitives after a failed scheme, are enhanced by the film’s jump cuts and lack of musical score.

      Kiss or Kill also follows a road-movie format, showcasing their adventures across the Australian Outback and the diverse minor characters they encounter. O’Connor and Day embody the heart of the film, marked by their love-hate chemistry, while Chris Haywood and Andrew S. Gilbert add a delightful deadpan humor as detectives pursuing them.

      **Phoenix (1998)**

      Following the expensive misstep of Judge Dredd, Danny Cannon returns to smaller productions akin to his 1993 film The Young Americans. His neo-noir crime drama stars Ray Liotta in a role that highlights his tough-guy persona, portraying a corrupt cop who is a compulsive gambler facing dire consequences from a massive debt.

      Liotta is supported by a strong cast, including Anthony LaPaglia as a fellow corrupt policeman and Tom Noonan as a devious crime lord. Although Phoenix doesn’t innovate the genre, it remains solid with themes of crime, betrayal, and corruption, while Cannon’s direction enriches the film, filled with clever dialogue and pop culture references reminiscent of Tarantino.

      **After Dark, My Sweet (1990)**

      Before descending into mediocre films like Fifty Shades Darker, James Foley created After Dark, My Sweet, a slow-burn neo-noir inspired by Jim Thompson's 1955 novel. Unfortunately, it struggled at the box office, grossing only $2.7 million against a $6 million budget.

      Deserving of more recognition, the film explores the lives of deeply flawed characters—Jason Patric as the troubled former boxer Collie, Rachel Ward as the alcoholic Fay, and Bruce Dern as the scheming Uncle Bud—who all seek to alter their fates, involving a child kidnapping plot. The film's visual alienation effectively reflects the characters’ loneliness, leading to a grim conclusion set against the bleak California desert.

      **A Kiss Before Dying (1991)**

      This remake of the 1956 film, adapted from Ira Levin's novel, opens with a shocking suicide involving the daughter of a millionaire (Max von Sydow), portrayed by Sean Young. Director James Dearden's fourth feature does not shy away from the graphic depiction of her death with striking visuals.

      Sean Young portrays a dual role, appearing again as the unsuspecting twin sister who gets romantically involved with Matt Dillon’s charming yet sinister Jonathan Corliss. Dearden insightfully explores humanity's darker aspects intertwined with neo-noir themes, particularly through Dillon’s character, who reveals the ruthless ambitions of a young man obsessed with power and wealth.

      **Revenge (1990)**

      Revenge stands out as an anomaly in Tony Scott's oeuvre, which is typically known for its sleek visuals. This neo-noir romantic thriller features Kevin Costner as a retired Navy pilot who becomes involved with his wealthy friend's