Movie fans have no doubt heard about the big-name film noirs ad nauseum: Double Indemnity , Laura , The Maltese Falcon . But way back in 1994, before even The Big Sleep had made it onto the list, Force of Evil was selected for the National Film Registry . That’s Force of Evil from 1948, not 1958’s Touch of Evil , Orson Welles ’ famed noir joint. With gangsters, long cons, starkly-lit location shoots, and intense narration, it's no wonder that Martin Scorsese has cited Force of Evil ’s influence over his own work. And get this: the movie's got a 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes . That’s the same Rotten Tomatoes that has One Battle After Another at 95% .

So, it’s good, clearly. But what is it about this little-discussed noi

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