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Hammett

Hammett

He created "The Maltese Falcon," "Sam Spade" and "The Thin Man." But he didn't write this mystery thriller...he lived it.

19826.21h 38m

Overview

Chinatown, San Francisco, 1928. Former private detective Dashiell Hammett, a compulsive drinker with tuberculosis who writes pulp fiction for a living, receives an unexpected visit from an old friend asking for help.

Directed by Wim Wenders
Written by Dennis O'Flaherty, Ross Thomas, Joe Gores
Produced by Ronald Colby, Don Guest, Fred Roos
0

Top Cast

Frederic Forrest

Frederic Forrest

Hammett

Peter Boyle

Peter Boyle

Jimmy Ryan

Marilu Henner

Marilu Henner

Kit Conger / Sue Alabama

Roy Kinnear

Roy Kinnear

English Eddie Hagedorn

Lydia Lei

Lydia Lei

Crystal Ling

Elisha Cook Jr.

Elisha Cook Jr.

Eli the Taxi Driver

David Patrick Kelly

David Patrick Kelly

The Punk

R.G. Armstrong

R.G. Armstrong

Lt. O'Mara

Richard Bradford

Richard Bradford

Detective Bradford

Jack Nance

Jack Nance

Gary Salt

Themes & Keywords

based on novel or booksan francisco, californiachinatownhistorical figurefemme fataleneo-noir1920scrime fiction writersemi-fiction

About Hammett

Hammett is a drama, thriller film released in 1982 exploring themes of based on novel or book, san francisco, california, chinatown, historical figure, femme fatale, neo-noir. Directed by Wim Wenders, it stars Frederic Forrest, Peter Boyle, Marilu Henner. Chinatown, San Francisco, 1928. Former private detective Dashiell Hammett, a compulsive drinker with tuberculosis who writes pulp fiction for a living, receives an unexpected visit from an old friend asking for help.

Movies Similar to Hammett

Discover titles like Hammett — ranked by similarity and community votes

We found 15 movies similar to Hammett

If you enjoyed Hammett, you'll love these handpicked recommendations. Each title below shares similar themes, tone, and storytelling style. Our algorithm analyzes genres, keywords, director filmography, and cast connections to find the closest matches. Whether you're looking for the same emotional depth, narrative structure, or visual style, these picks are curated to deliver the best viewing experience for fans of Hammett.

Chinatown
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Private eye Jake Gittes lives off of the murky moral climate of sunbaked, pre-World War II Southern California. Hired by a beautiful socialite to investigate her husband's extra-marital affair, Gittes is swept into a maelstrom of double dealings and deadly deceits, uncovering a web of personal and political scandals that come crashing together.

L.A. Confidential
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Carlito's Way
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Agatha
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Agatha(1979)

Movie6.1/10

England, 1926. An American journalist looks for mystery writer Agatha Christie when she suddenly disappears without explanation, leaving no trace.

Basic Instinct
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Catherine, a novelist with an insatiable sexual appetite, becomes a prime suspect when her boyfriend is brutally murdered -- a crime she had described in her latest story.

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Body Heat
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Body Heat(1981)

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Man from Reno
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Mulholland Drive
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Blonde Betty Elms has only just arrived in Hollywood to become a movie star when she meets an enigmatic brunette with amnesia. Meanwhile, as the two set off to solve the second woman's identity, filmmaker Adam Kesher runs into ominous trouble while casting his latest project.

Black Widow
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Federal agent Alexandra Barnes believes that Catherine Petersen is a serial killer who marries rich men and then murders them for their money. But since Catherine is seemingly a master of disguise and has multiple identities, Alexandra can't prove anything with conventional detective work. With no other option, she goes undercover, pursuing the same man as Catherine, and hoping that Catherine will slip up and reveal her true identity.

Vertigo
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Vertigo(1958)

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A retired San Francisco detective suffering from acrophobia investigates the strange activities of an old friend's wife, all the while becoming dangerously obsessed with her.

The Thirteenth Floor
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In Los Angeles, a wealthy man, known as Mr. Fuller, discovers a shocking secret about the world he lives in. Fearing for his life, he leaves a desperate message for a friend of his in the most unexpected place.

Nightcrawler
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When Lou Bloom, desperate for work, muscles into the world of L.A. crime journalism, he blurs the line between observer and participant to become the star of his own story. Aiding him in his effort is Nina, a TV-news veteran.