Think film noir is all detectives and femme fatales? Think again. Kristy and Jeff trade daylight for streetlights as they slip into the smoky, shadowy world of Noirvember — a month-long celebration of crime, cynicism, and cinematic style. From doomed lovers to desperate antiheroes, this episode proves that in film noir, everyone’s guilty of something.  🎬 Welcome back to The Film Library, a Kanopy podcast where we spotlight hidden gems, cult favorites, and movies that linger long after the credits roll — no film degree required.  This week, hosts Kristy Puchko (Entertainment Editor at Mashable) and Jeff Rauseo (film lover and noir obsessive) dive deep into the films that help define the noir genre. From shadow-drenched classics to hardboiled neo-noirs, they explore how filmmakers keep reinventing the art of darkness.  Together, they unpack why noir endures — the fatalism, the shadows, the flawed humanity — and how its influence stretches into today’s indie thrillers. Whether it’s a desperate detective, a femme fatale, or a bad decision in the rain, this episode celebrates the beauty of bad choices and the allure of life in black and white.  So, grab a drink, pull up your collar, and stream these noir treasures on Kanopy — where every frame tells a secret.  Follow Kristy on Instagram @thekristypuchko and Letterboxd @kristypuchko.       Follow Jeff on Instagram, TikTok, and Letterboxd @jeffrauseo.       Follow Kanopy on Letterboxd to see the full episode list.   Stream the films we mention for free at kanopy.com with a library card or university ID from a participating institution.          🎞️ Episode Highlights  03:35 — M (1931)  Kristy kicks off with Fritz Lang’s haunting masterpiece — a proto-noir that turned shadow into storytelling. From its chilling sound design to Peter Lorre’s unforgettable performance, M proves that true terror needs no gore, just guilt.  07:13 — The Hitch-Hiker (1953)  Jeff hits the road with Ida Lupino’s stripped-down, high-tension thriller — one of the first noir films directed by a woman. Two friends, one gunman, and a desert that feels endless. Minimalism has never been this menacing.  11:56 — Bound (1996)  Kristy rewires the genre with the Wachowskis’ sizzling debut. Jennifer Tilly and Gina Gershon’s chemistry is electric in this lesbian neo-noir about love, loyalty, and robbing the mob. Dangerous curves ahead.  15:49 — Thief (1981)  Jeff heads to Chicago for Michael Mann’s neon-drenched heist film starring James Caan. A master safecracker dreams of going straight — until the underworld pulls him back in. Moody, meticulous, and magnetic.  19:40 — Winter’s Bone (2010)  Kristy trades the city for the Ozarks in Debra Granik’s haunting modern noir. Jennifer Lawrence’s breakout performance anchors a bleak, beautiful story of family, fear, and survival in the shadows.  23:11 — Gone Baby Gone (2007)  Jeff closes with Ben Affleck’s morally murky debut — a Boston noir where every choice feels like a sin. Casey Affleck, Amy Ryan, and Ed Harris deliver a story that asks: what’s right when everything’s wrong?