The Dramatis Personae -- She's A Femme Fatale

In all of cinema, the Femme Fatale is one of favorite archetypes. What's not to love about her? Her characterization has made her iconic. And despite the fetishization of her sexualized self, the Femme Fatale is always a deeply intelligent, intriguing woman, set on her survival.

I was surprised, when searching for images of Femme Fatales, as how the sexualized stereotype or the murderous mistress has dominated this character. Instead, I'd like to point out the other often seen characteristics of the Femme Fatale:
delicate vulnerability
charm and social graces (who can forget Gilda?)
dedication to her house and family (although not always to her husband!)
independence and ability to depend when necessary
modesty and often understated sexuality (for a good lesson in modest and sexy, just watch 40s and 50s film noirs!)
mistress of mystery and intrigue
intelligent, witty, and silver-tongued

When you can break down the Femme Fatale beyond sex and death, how inspiring is she? For more inspiration ladies of the night, here are a few of my Favorite Femme Fatales:
Bridget Gregory from the Last Seduction.
Elsa Bannister from The Lady From Shanghai.
Lilah Morgan in tv's Angel.
Mildred Pierce


1. Untitled, 2. It Never Stops, 3. Reluctant Assassin 4, 4. Femme Fatale, 5. femme fatale, 6. paper-life - "femme fatale", 7. Femme Fatale, 8. Une femme fatale, 9. The Last Seduction