Guillermo del Toro Reveals Top 10 Noir Movies That Inspired Nightmare Alley

Guillermo del Toro knows more about movies than most of us could ever learn in our lifetimes. Whenever I’ve seen him speak, or been lucky enough to interview him, I’m endlessly amazed at his ability to go down a deep rabbit hole of knowledge on any subject ranging from Orson Wells to why he loves Hayao Miyazaki. But the thing about del Toro is it’s not just his ability to talk about so many people and films; it’s the way you can feel his sincere passion and boundless enthusiasm as he’s talking, and you know he’s speaking from his heart.
With his new movie, Nightmare Alley, arriving in theaters on December 17th, I recently spoke with del Toro about his top ten film noir inspirations for the film. While I expected to briefly go over the list (which you can read further down the page) and maybe spend a few minutes going in-depth on one or two of the films, del Toro wasn’t having any of that. Instead, he went through the entire list of ten films, sharing why each film was important to him and why each one was special and worth your time. He also revealed why he likes grittier film noirs and shared so many cool facts about the people involved in each film that it would be impossible to list them all here. If you’re a fan of del Toro and want to hear him geeking out about film noirs you are going to love this video.
If you’re not familiar with Nightmare Alley, the film was adapted by del Toro and Kim Morgan from William Lindsay Gresham’s 1946 novel of the same name. The novel was previously made into a film in 1947 starring Tyrone Power, but wasn’t as faithful to the source material. Del Toro’s version stars Bradley Cooper as Stanton “Stan” Carlisle, an ambitious con man who learned his craft working at a seedy traveling carnival. As he gets more successful, he teams up with Dr. Lilith Ritter (Cate Blanchett), who may be more dangerous than he is. The rest of the all-star cast includes Rooney Mara, Toni Collette, Willem Dafoe, Richard Jenkins, Ron Perlman, David Strathairn, Clifton Collins Jr., Tim Blake Nelson, and Mary Steenburgen.
Del Toro previously spoke with us about how he was first introduced to the book and how his version will not embrace any supernatural elements:
“The book was given to me in 1992 by Ron Perlman before I saw the Tyrone Power movie, and I loved the book. My adaptation that I’ve done with [co-writer] Kim Morgan is not necessarily-the entire book is impossible, it’s a saga. But there are elements that are darker in the book, and it’s the first chance I have-in my short films I wanted to do noir. It was horror and noir. And now is the first chance I have to do a real underbelly of society type of movie. [There are] no supernatural elements. Just a straight, really dark story.”
#GuillermodelToro #NightmareAlley #FilmNoir
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[@reeldeal3227]

Perhaps what I love most about Guillermo del Toro is his appreciation of those who came before him. After winning director and best pic for my favorite of his, The Shape of Water, he verbally and cinematically paid respect to Douglas Sirk, Steven Spielberg, and so many others (including directors of classic creature features) as influences on his work. Such a gracious gentleman.

[@TheEnnisfan]

Not only is Guillermo a brilliant director, this man is genuinely the nicest person working in Hollywood. Most individuals of his stature in that industry are pricks of an immense caliber. But Memo is one of the sweetest people I've ever met. May this dude grace us with many more films. Viva Mexico!

[@olivadelrosario1807]

I met him at the Roosevelt Hotel after I photographed him receiving his Hollywood Star-he posed for selfies with his fans and signed autographs for everyone who asked. He is a sweetheart!

[@Lolabelle59]

He is very sweet and charming, and it is very genuine. Like him a lot!

[@pablocontrerassanchez8111]

Every Guillermo Del Toro interview is a masterclass. ¡Te queremos, Memito!

[@jakeruhl2499]

Looking forward to seeing Nightmare Alley! Del Toro is my favorite filmmaker with Crimson Peak being my favorite movie of his and my favorite movie in general!

[@armandochavez1117]

so underrated movie

[@ordellrobbie239]

Great to listen to a guy who really knows the noir of the 1940-50s, informative and confirms much of my own thoughts on the genre

[@jbwuzhere6819]

He's naming all of my personal favorites! I have nearly all of them on bluray. Nice to know that we have similar tastes...

[@paulb111]

I learned so much from listening to Mr. D speak. Thank you so much !

[@Lolabelle59]

Could listen to him speak all day/night.

[@Oracol]

Same. I'm always looking for his interviews on KZbin. The man is absolutely fascinating to listing to

[@kristinedraws]

Hearing this list makes me miss the film library at my college. I bet they have all of these... I love hearing his excitement about EACH of these movies and what he finds interesting about it. I've watched the more famous noirs, it's nice to get this list of "cousin" noir films as he calls them. I'll have to search out some of these!

[@ptxc1639]

could listen to these two all day

[@chasehedges6775]

My favorite Del Toro film is Crimson Peak. It’s sooo good

[@jakeruhl2499]

Wow I never thought I would find another person who's favorite Del Toro film is Crimson Peak! So awesome!

[@dr.strangelove.miguelaleja2825]

A WAW GOOD INTERVIEW.

[@sclogse1]

The book is the inspiration. It's prose is incredible. Way out there with the greats.

[@curiousworld7912]

I love film noir - the back-and-forth dialogue, the moral ambiguity, with its post-war dark side of the 'American dream', and particularly, the cinematography. German Expressionism was used to such effect in these films - probably because many German directors came to the US in the '30s. The 1947 version of 'Nightmare Alley' is one of the best, and I'm anxious to see what del Toro does with it. He's one of the most original - and best - directors out there. Some of my favorites are 'Kiss of Death', 'Kiss Me Deadly', 'Touch of Evil', 'Double Indemnity', 'The Big Heat', and 'In a Lonely Place'. All the films del Toro lists, are excellent, as well.

[@Em-os9yj]

I so excited for this remake I hope he makes the ending darker

[@michaelfaklis8169]

You all owe it to yourselves to take the time to watch all three of the Film Noir movies mentioned.

[@DanHansen]

Fallen Angel (1945) Niagra (1953) Underworld USA (1961) The Killing (1956) Too Late For Tears (1949) Detour (1945) Born To Kill (1947) The Lineup (1958) The Breaking Point (1950) Nightfall (1956) Special Mentions Out Of The Past (1947) Dark Passage (1947)

[@fulvio2485]

Thanks!

[@paulsmyth6710]

Nightmare Alley was a beautiful film. Bravo Guillermo

[@sclogse1]

Nightfall and that Dana Andrews Linda Darnell film Fallen Angel are the two I haven't seen. The rest are very special and unique, unlike each other.

[@jorgedacunha2676]

Great list. Watched...and loved...most of them. Still need to watch Fallen Angel, Underworld USA and Breaking Point. Will do so now. Can't wait to watch Nightmare Alley. If it's half as good as the original, It'll be brilliant.

[@Mansikkacake]

18:53 All ten ! People who love film noir make time to watch all films !!!

[@ravenwyld]

wish these were all just listed 😅

[@pangaeaproximap.p4408]

God bless Joe Pesci and GDT 🤠

[@AssyMcgeeee]

Guillermo del Toro is a great interview and I can listen to him talk all day long. On the other hand, all of his movies are complete trash.