10 Movies & Shows Like Inherent Vice (2014)

Description: As the definitive hardboiled detective film, it shares with 'Inherent Vice' the essential noir elements: a cynical private eye, femme fatales, and a quest for a mysterious object. Both films explore themes of greed and deception, though 'Inherent Vice' updates the formula with 1970s counterculture.

Fact: This was John Huston's directorial debut. The falcon prop was made of lead to look authentic. It was the third film version of Hammett's novel.

Description: This classic Humphrey Bogart noir shares with 'Inherent Vice' an adaptation of a famously convoluted mystery (from Raymond Chandler). Both feature hard-drinking detectives navigating a web of deception in Southern California, with labyrinthine plots that sometimes confuse even their creators.

Fact: The plot is so complex even the director didn't understand it. Bogart and Bacall's chemistry led to rewrites emphasizing their romance. Chandler himself couldn't explain who committed one murder.

Description: Robert Altman's revisionist take on Raymond Chandler's novel shares with 'Inherent Vice' a laid-back detective protagonist (Elliott Gould's Philip Marlowe) who seems out of time in 1970s LA. Both films deconstruct noir tropes while maintaining the genre's essential mystery elements.

Fact: Gould improvised much of his dialogue. The film was a commercial failure but is now considered a classic. Altman instructed the crew to never say 'cut', creating a fluid, naturalistic style.

Description: This classic neo-noir shares with 'Inherent Vice' a sun-drenched Los Angeles setting and a detective protagonist navigating corruption and conspiracy. Both films explore themes of power, greed, and the dark underbelly of California. The intricate plotting and moral ambiguity are hallmarks of both works.

Fact: Roman Polanski insisted on the film's famously bleak ending. Jack Nicholson's nose bandage was real - he cut himself shaving. The film was almost called 'Water and Power'.

Description: Like 'Inherent Vice', 'The Big Lebowski' is a neo-noir comedy with a stoner protagonist caught in a convoluted mystery. Both films blend absurd humor with a labyrinthine plot, set against the backdrop of Los Angeles. The Coen Brothers' signature quirky style mirrors Paul Thomas Anderson's offbeat storytelling in 'Inherent Vice'.

Fact: The Dude's character was inspired by a real-life figure, Jeff Dowd, a film producer and political activist. The film initially underperformed at the box office but gained a massive cult following. The Coen Brothers wrote the script in just three weeks.

Description: This neo-noir shares with 'Inherent Vice' a deep dive into 1950s Los Angeles corruption, though with a more straightforward narrative. Both films explore the dark side of the California dream and feature complex character relationships amidst criminal investigations.

Fact: Kim Basinger's Oscar win was the film's only Academy Award. The script was in development for nearly a decade. Russell Crowe's breakout American role.

Description: The Coen Brothers' black-and-white noir shares with 'Inherent Vice' a protagonist caught in circumstances beyond his control. Both films feature existential themes beneath their crime plots, with barbers and detectives respectively serving as passive observers of fate's cruel jokes.

Fact: Shot in color then converted to black-and-white. Inspired by James M. Cain's novels. Features one of the first digital intermediate processes.

Description: Shane Black's meta-noir comedy shares 'Inherent Vice's' blend of humor and hardboiled detective tropes. Both feature hapless protagonists stumbling through violent mysteries in Los Angeles, with self-aware narration and eccentric supporting characters.

Fact: The title comes from a famous Italian poster for 'Dr. No'. Robert Downey Jr.'s performance helped revive his career. The film was shot in just 35 days.

Description: Another Shane Black film that pairs well with 'Inherent Vice', featuring a mismatched detective duo in 1970s Los Angeles. Both films mix comedy with crime elements, satirizing the era while embracing its aesthetic. The convoluted mystery plot echoes 'Inherent Vice's' narrative complexity.

Fact: Ryan Gosling broke his wrist during a stunt but kept filming. The script was originally set in New York. It was intended to launch a franchise that never materialized.

Description: This modern neo-noir shares 'Inherent Vice's' psychedelic mystery vibe, following a slacker protagonist through a surreal Los Angeles conspiracy. Both films feature dreamlike narratives, pop culture obsessions, and a critique of Hollywood culture.

Fact: The film was inspired by director David Robert Mitchell's own experiences in LA. It features numerous hidden codes and symbols throughout. The release was delayed by nearly a year for reshoots.