Trust is a fragile commodity in the world of crime. Partners betray partners, lovers deceive one another, and carefully planned conspiracies unravel when greed or self-interest intervenes. Double crosses transform allies into enemies and often determine who survives long enough to enjoy the proceeds of the crime. This page explores films in which betrayal is not merely an unexpected twist but the engine that drives the story.

Armored Car Robbery (1950)

Kansas City Confidential (1952)

Double Indemnity (1941)

The Lady From Shanghai (1947)

Force of Evil (1948)

The Killers (1946)

The Set-Up (1949)

The Killing (1956)