She may imply that you could have sex later, but she'll never promise it, not even say it-that would decrease her air of mystery and power. On a lesser note, the Femme Fatale generally uses sensuality instead of upfront sexual advances. If you know she's dangerous from the start, but she's sexy enough that you don't care, she's likely a Femme Fatale. The main distinction is how she presents herself. While related to The Vamp, the Femme Fatale is not just any seductress she has a distinct look and feel. The hero might decide that she's not worth the trouble she causes, but if he doesn't, then they might become an Outlaw Couple. If the Femme Fatale is vying for the hero's romantic attentions she will likely have a sweeter and purer rival. (In some eras, use of make-up is a tell-tale sign.) He knows that she's walking trouble and knows much more about the bad guys than she should, but damn it if he can't resist her feminine wiles. Unlike the virginal and sweet Damsel in Distress (or possibly Action Girl), the Femme Fatale exploits with everything she's got to wrap men around her finger. Made famous by Film Noir and hard-boiled detective stories, she manipulates and confuses The Hero with her undeniable aura of sexiness and danger. The Femme Fatale is sexy and she knows it. Rockhammer, you're the only one who can help me find out who killed my extremely wealthy husband." Did she do it? Do I care? Wait, where'd that saxophone music come from? Whatever her story is, whether she did it or not, she's definitely keeping some secrets. Dressed all in black with legs up to here and shady motives, she slinks into the PI's office, sometimes holding a cigarette on a long, long holder, saying "Oh, Mr.
The typical client in a Hardboiled Detective story (French for "fatal woman," idiomatically "woman to die for").