Double Indemnity

Question 6. What types of themes are being explored here in this film? What do you think this film is about? What is it trying to say? Support your answer with specific examples from Double Indemnity.

Double Indemnity 

The film is about Walter Neff and Phyllis Dietrichson who are drawn to each other, and in their attempts to be together the couple commits a murder. Walter murdered Mr. Dietrichson in order to be with Phyllis, however, both are paranoid as their truth may be exposed by Keyes, Walter's boss. Initially, Walter devised a plan to make the murder of her husband appear to be an accidental fall from a train that will trigger the "double indemnity" clause and pay out twice the value of the insurance policy. However, Keyes refuses to believe the suicide story and deduces that Phyllis and another unknown accomplice killed her husband for the money. As the plot unravels, Phyllis is shown to have illicit connections with another man. Eventually, this causes Walter to shoot Phyllis and wait for the police to arrive.

Some themes that reoccur throughout the film are adultery, betrayal, guilt, sexual desire, seduction, money, and murder. Adultery drives the plot as Phyllis Dietrichson, a married women, has an affair with Walter Neff. Consequently, both of them scheme to murder Mr. Dietrichson in order to receive the double indemnity. Money is the primary motivator for Phyllis to partake in the crime,  and she gains Walter's support by seducing him. Sexual desire is obvious as both characters Walter and Phyllis are attracted to each other. Guilt appears when Walter feels responsible for the step daughter of Phyllis, Lola. This theme also shows up near the end where Phyllis feels guilty for involving Walter because she confesses to have not loved him. This causes Walter to kill Phyllis for her betrayal. Near the end Walter intends to pin the blame on someone else, but instead waits for the ambulance and police to arrive. 

I think the film is about lust and specifically about the power of women. Lust is obvious throughout the film and is a major reason for Walter to commit the crime. However, the power of women seems evident in the story due to the portrayal of Phyllis. She uses her strong points to lure Walter into her calculating scheme. Phyllis uses her looks to seduce Walter intentionally. For example, her dressing purposely shows more skin, the way she walks and speaks, and even her hair style is noteworthy. Makeup and jewelry are also used to accentuate her body to make Walter feel enticed by Phyllis. This shows that a women can to a certain degree control or ignite a man's lust; moreover, women can use tricks to make men more susceptible to their demands. Walter eventually agrees to carry out the plan to kill Mr. Dietrichson. I think the film is trying to say that women have power over men to a certain extent. The characterization of Phyllis may seem like the movie objectifies women, but Phyllis chooses to use herself in such a way and better yet does it knowingly. This shows she recognizes her figure as a powerful weapon, rather than a weakness. Therefore, I do not think the film intentionally targets women negatively. This film shows how women exhibited power over men during the old time, although it is shown in a different way than today's society normally thinks.