Stylistically, Blade Runner is connected to the tradition of film noir. This term is applied to certain American films during and after World War II that are "dark" in tone. The often intricate narrative generally involve a gruff private detective investigating a crime. Alienated and living out the law, he is driven by his own moral code. Voice over narration (original to the theatrical release of Blade Runner but removed from the 1991 Director's Cut) is common, as is an emphasis on a realistic urban setting and the use of flashbacks. A beautiful femme fatale is commonplace. She might be read as a sexist backlash against the societal shift of the 1940s when women joined the workforce, becoming an unconscious threat to male power.
The aesthetic considerations include chiaroscuro lighting with shadows, silhouettes, and high contrast lighting. Light is accentuated by the smoke wafting from the outlaw characters who drink as much as they smoke. Venetian blinds, fans, and the patterns they create are hallmarks of the lighting design. Unbalanced compositions are also evident, with directorsusing odd camera angles to create interesting frames.
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