Double Indemnity (1944)

The women image of the fifties was dominated by the idea of a caring and faithful mother and wife. At that time a woman with a high self-esteem and an outgoing personality was not accepted by society. A woman should always be concerned about the well-being of her husband.

"Double Indemnity" shows a very different picture of a woman. Barbara Stanwyck plays a grandiose role of a "femme fatale"! On one hand she is the beautiful and loving housewife, on the other hand she is a stone cold murderer who gets rid of her husband by taking advantage of an insurance agent. At the end the audience gets to know her entire character: hard-boiled and conniving. 

This movie seems to be an innovative presentation of women, who were normally represented as caring persons. "Double Indemnity" breaks the roles and shows a ruthless and self confident woman, who dominates the manhood. Due to her charm and her breathtaking appearance she twists men around her little finger and gets what she wants.