The introductory part of the paper talks about the very concept of „femininity“ and its construction. The different perspectives with which the issue of „femininity“ is viewed (biological, linguistic, psychological, etc.) are described and the reasons for male misogyny are discussed. Furthermore, the issue of feminist criticism, the main directions within it (Anglo-American and French approach), and its history are discussed. Then it turns to the question of women's writing. The phases of women's writing are listed, important authors for the women's canon are mentioned and the context in which women writers created in the 19th century is described. Then the culture of modernity and women's status within it are described. Theories about women's production, women as consumers, women as readers, theories about sexuality, etc. are indicated. Then we move on to the question of the fatal woman (fr. femme fatale) and her double („angel in the house“). The character of the femme fatale is noted and characterized, and some works of Croatian literature in which the same character is present are also mentioned. Furthermore, an analysis of one of the fatal women of American literature, Hester Prynne, from the novel "The Scarlet Letter" follows, as well as an analysis of the novel itself. Then, it moves on to the description of femme fatales from film noir. It also describes the period of film noir, its characteristics, examples of films, as well as the counter-ideology of the same and neo-noir films. In the concluding part, the possible future of the femme fatale is stated and an example from popular culture is given to confirm this future.