Typical Film Noir characters

Typical femme fatale

A woman of great seductive charm who leads men into compromising or dangerous situations and an alluring, mysterious woman. There is a sexual attraction between her and the anti-hero, however he is more obsessed with her than she is for him, this usually what leads to both of them being punished in some way. The femme fatale most often dies. They are usually trapped in an abusive relationship, most likely with the villain, and their life is tragic, they see the anti-hero as their escape from this for a better life. 

Typical anti-hero

The anti-hero is a leading character in a film, book or play who lacks some or all of the traditional heroic qualities, such as altruism, idealism, courage, nobility, fortitude, and moral goodness. He usually has some kind of flaw, but manages to attract the femme fatale of the film, however he falls for her more than she does for him which usually leads to a heartbreaking end when she dies. Usually working-class, being working-class ad ordinary he is someone the male target audience can relate to or wish to be like him, he is an 'everyman'. He has a checkered, messed up past. 

Typical villain from film noir

The villain is quite often psychotic and detached in some way. He sometimes is in love with the femme fatale, and as soon as he is worried or gets wind of her leaving him he is determined that no one can have her, especially not the anti-hero so he decides to punish them both, he ends ups killing the femme fatale. These villains are not your usual villains, they are two dimensional and are just plain, black and white nasty.

Sometimes there is a supporting character, often known as the Girl Next Door, who offers a conventional and domestic portrayal of what women should be like. She usually helps the anti-hero investigate and work out where the femme fatale has gone and how she died, she sometimes ends up in a relationship with the anti-hero which is better and more genuine for him.