The final murder scenes in Double Indemnity are very different, but they have a few similarities. The biggest similarity comes in the context of the murder. In both films, the main character murders the person who has caused them problems throughout the stories. Phyllis has dragged Walter into a plot to murder her husband, while the Smith has brought Exley to the level of corruption. Both of these murders show a great change in the characters, as Exley shows that he is capable of killing in cold blood for justice while Walter has overcome his vulnerability to Phyllis and finally stood up to her. In terms of the shots themselves, they are very different. Exley shoots Smith in the back with a shotgun, a gruesome way to die, and it is very impersonal. Walter, on the other hand, shoots Phyllis with a small pistol from as close as possible, and it does not seem to be too painful. Smith is shot into the air and flails, while Phyllis remains almost completely still during the shooting. This way of dying makes Phyllis's murder seem romantic in a way, while it makes Smith's death brutal. I find it interesting that neither of the main characters are shown doing the actual shooting in these shots. When Walter shoots Phyllis, the camera zooms in on her face, showing her expression instead of focusing on the shooting itself. When Exley shoots Smith, it focuses on Smith being shot instead of Exley himself. In the classic film noir mentality, both scenes are very dark and eerie, and the smoke coming out of the shotgun only adds to the mystery. Their actions afterwards are also interesting, as the police help cover up Exley's murder, while Keyes will not give Walter any help or time to escape.
Also, I could not get the Double Indemnity still on to this post, but it is number 93.
