Walter Neff's Double Indemnity

The first time we meet insurance agent Walter Neff, the protagonist of Double Indemnity, he enters his dark workplace, surveying the room, almost as remembering a past life. Neff, obviously wounded, settles into his office and beings to regale us with tale of lust, plotting and murder, taking the form of a confession into his Dictaphone. Neff’s saga begins as he visits the house of Mr. Dietrichson to discuss an insurance policy renewal. There he meets Phyllis Dietrichson, the “femme fatale” of the story, and an instant attraction is palpable. Phyllis, taking advantage of Neff’s flirtations, lays the groundwork for what will come to pass; the illegal purchase of an insurance policy on her husband. Neff quickly catches on to Phyllis’ game, and, …show more content…
Dietrichson, and abscond with both the money and his new love, Phyllis. After a series of covert meetings, the murder is executed, and, after questioning from his superiors at work, he believes he has committed the perfect crime. His boss, Barton Keyes, however, proves to have a superior instinct, and begins to tear the Dietrichson case apart. Covering his tracks, he befriends Mr. Dietrichson’s daughter, Lola, and discovers that Phyllis has a dark past. Realizing her true nature and that Keyes is on his tail, Walter plans to meet Phyllis, who also is looking to save herself. After a confrontation, Neff is shot by Phyllis, but proceeds to take possession of the gun and kills her. Though he planned to frame Lola’s beau, Nino Zachetti, we see him struggle with his decision. Neff chooses to save Zachetti, reunite him with Lola, and turn himself in for his crimes. Keyes, having figured out the truth, walks into Neff’s office in the midst of the confession. Walter pleads with Keyes in an effort to save himself from the gas chamber, but collapses in the doorway from his wound as he exits his office. Smoking one last cigarette, lit by Keyes, the film fades to black and we are left pondering the fate of Walter Neff. “Pretty, isn’t