Nordic noir

noun

A subgenre of film noir, set (and usually produced) in Scandinavia; typified by psychologically complex storylines involving the investigation of cruel or brutal crime, as well as heavy use of stark landscapes, pathetic fallacy and grinding realism.

Similar
Scandinavian noirScandi noir
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Meanings

nounNordic noir (countable and uncountable, plural Nordic noirs)

plural Nordic noirs

  1. uncountablebroadcastingA subgenre of film noir, set (and usually produced) in Scandinavia; typified by psychologically complex storylines involving the investigation of cruel or brutal crime, as well as heavy use of stark landscapes, pathetic fallacy and grinding realism.
  2. countablebroadcastingA film or show of this subgenre.

    Synonyms: Scandinavian noir, Scandi noir

Synonyms & antonyms

nounA film or show of this subgenre.

Similar
Scandinavian noirScandi noir
Also see
scandinavian noirscandi-noir

Origin

Blend of Nordic + film noir.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Polish Nordic noir
  • Nordic noirgenre
Cite this entry
APA

Nordic noir. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Nordic%20noir

MLA

“Nordic noir.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Nordic%20noir. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Nordic noir,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Nordic%20noir.

Source: Nordic noir on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.