Sin City: A Dame to Kill For is the sequel to the 2005 film Sin City, directed by Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller. The film continues the gritty, stylized noir tales set in the corrupt, crime-ridden Basin City. The movie intertwines several storylines, primarily focusing on four main narratives.
In the first story, Dwight McCarthy (Josh Brolin), a tough, morally conflicted private investigator, is pulled back into the dangerous underworld of Basin City when his former lover, Ava Lord (Eva Green), appears and seduces him into a deadly scheme. Ava manipulates Dwight into committing murder, all while revealing her true, dangerous intentions. Dwight must navigate betrayal and violence to survive.
The second story, “The Long Bad Night,” follows Johnny (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a cocky gambler who challenges Senator Roark (Powers Boothe), a ruthless political figure. Johnny’s attempts to outsmart Roark lead to devastating consequences.
Meanwhile, Marv (Mickey Rourke), the antihero from the first film, returns in a side story, dealing with his own violent quest for revenge. The film blends the comic book’s dark aesthetic with its neo-noir style, continuing the exploration of corruption, betrayal, and violence in a world where morality is a distant memory.
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For is a visually stunning yet uneven sequel that continues the unique, graphic novel-inspired storytelling of its predecessor. Directed by Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller, the film brings the same high-contrast black-and-white style, with bursts of color used to emphasize certain elements, giving the film its signature look. The stylized violence and gritty atmosphere work well within the noir genre, creating an immersive, albeit bleak, world.
The performances are strong across the board, with Josh Brolin’s portrayal of Dwight being a standout, bringing both vulnerability and intensity to the character. Eva Green’s portrayal of the femme fatale Ava Lord is equally captivating, delivering both allure and menace. The film also sees the return of Mickey Rourke as Marv, whose over-the-top, violent antics provide some of the film’s most memorable moments.
However, the movie falters in its pacing and narrative structure. While the film is visually captivating, the interconnected storylines feel less engaging and cohesive compared to the first film. Some subplots, such as Johnny’s story, while well-acted by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, don’t feel as consequential and detract from the main narrative. Sin City: A Dame to Kill For is a worthy follow-up for fans of the first film but ultimately lacks the same compelling, tightly-woven storytelling. 7/10.