The Big Sleep is a 1946 film NOIR directed by Howard Hawks and starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. It is based on the 1939 novel of the same name by Raymond Chandler. The film genre of The Big Sleep is NOIR, which is a French term meaning 'BLACK' or 'DARK'. NOIR films typically feature DARK themes, such as crime, corruption, and moral ambiguity. They often feature a cynical protagonist who is caught up in a web of deceit and danger. NOIR films are known for their use of shadows and low-key lighting to create a moody atmosphere.