Carol Morley’s film is an adaptation of Martin Amis’s novel Night Train, and a tribute to the golden era of noir films. It’s customary in classics of the genre for an investigation led by the protagonist to shed light on his own life, as he’s compelled to face his complicated past. But unlike traditional film noir, Morley doesn’t view the world from a male perspective—the protagonist is a woman. Detective Mike Hoolihan (Patricia Clarkson) is assigned to investigate the murder of a rising astrophysicist who’s found dead at a New Orleans observatory, and the clues from the crime scene seem to lead nowhere. The case proves to be quite distressing for the veteran detective, who’s determined not to show any sign of weakness. An investigation begins in which the line between objective and subjective, rational and absurd is particularly blurry. The oppressive mood is enhanced by Conrad W. Hall’s atmospheric cinematography and Clint Mansell’s musical score.