The crime, eroticism, and violence continues in Frank Miller's Sin City: A Dame To Kill For. It's a prequel and sequel to the original Sin City, bringing back many characters from the first movie. Unfortunately, the movie was a box office bomb, and critics gave it mixed reviews, many complaining about the movie's slow pace.
Eva Green plays Ava Lord, the titular "Dame To Kill For." She is the quintessential femme fatale, using her powers of seduction and sexuality to gain power and/or profit from men. She is a fascinating character who demonstrates ruthlessness and an iron-clad resolve, as well as a subtle vulnerability.
"Murdering An Innocent Man. Just Wanna Know What It Felt Like. Must Have Been Beautiful."
Just as Dwight finishes killing Damien Lord, Ava's husband, she reveals her true intentions. She has been manipulating Dwight into killing her husband so that she can inherit his estate.
This quote reveals to the viewers a lot about the real Ava Lord: power-hungry, yet repressed. She goes out of her way to get others to do her dirty work for her. Despite the actions that she takes shortly after, it is unclear whether Ava has the courage to directly go after what she wants.
"A Crazy Person Would Be Anyone Who Believes Me. And That Would Be You."
Right after Ava reveals herself, she shoots a shocked Dwight to the ground. When he accuses her of insanity, she tells him that he is, in fact, the crazy one for believing her.
Although she hides behind others, Ava Lord is ruthless and she admits her own twisted nature. It is especially painful for Dwight as this is the second time that she has gone and betrayed him.
"Pain Has Set You Free. You're No Good Anymore, Dwight."
This is Ava's final attempt to get Dwight onto her side after he has broken into her mansion. She appeals to his feelings for her, as well as his trauma. It is a strategy that pairs her ruthlessness with some of her own vulnerability.
She insinuates that the trauma that he has experienced at her hands has left him irrevocably broken and that they're more alike than he thinks. However, despite her manipulation, it is clear that she also sees herself as broken.
"When You're Immune To Me, I'll Let You Know."
After Dwight's facial reconstruction, he goes back to Ava's mansion to seek revenge. After Manute recognizes and captures him, Ava taunts him. When Dwight remains stoic, she snaps and grabs his throat.
This quote reveals another important facet of Ava's personality: she hates losing. As the quintessential femme fatale, she is not used to hearing the word "no", especially from her prey. She attempts to regain the control she is losing.
"They Say You Really Never Die, So Long As Someone Remembers You."
After breaking his heart four years earlier, Ava contacts Dwight, asking to meet. She then proceeds to beg for him back, but he coldly rebuffs her. When Manute comes to collect her, she makes an ominous reference that points to her impending death.
This quote plants the first seed of doubt in Dwight's head. To manipulate him, she appeals to his memories of their time together and his impulse to save her from harm. It is also indicative of how she consistently weaponized people's memories of her.
"Sex Always Made You Stupid. Ready To Believe Anything."
She says the above quote in response to Dwight's shock at the fact that her now-dead husband is an innocent man. With a wickedly gleeful smile, she congratulates him on coming through for her.
She not only shows disdain at his gullibility but also at his love for her and how willing he is to come to her aid. Ava's body is the most powerful weapon in her arsenal and, in the words of Manute, "the Goddess [...] can transform to your deepest desire."
"The Last Time I Make My Living On My Back."
After putting a few shots into Dwight, she tells him that, after she inherits her husband's estate, she will never need anything more from a man. It is a brutal statement that demonstrates not only her fatal resolve but also her vulnerability.
Ava's back story is not defined, but it can be insinuated that her body has been an asset for her survival. She is desperate to be in a position of power over others, and she is willing to go to whatever lengths to achieve that.
"If I Kissed You Now Dwight, Would You Still Believe It Was...Love?"
After revealing that the stories she fed Dwight about Manute abusing her were lies, she taunts Dwight by asking him the above question. It is taunting and taking shots at multiple aspects of his personality.
Dwight not only sees her as a damsel in distress, but he is also under the impression that she genuinely loves him. She insinuates that he is so entranced by her that he would continue to carry that sentiment even with her gun to his head.
"If You Ever Wanna Have This Woman Again, Be A Man."
Shortly after Dwight disappears, Ava begins an affair with Mort, one of the private investigators working on her husband's murder. When Dwight calls to let her know of his plans for vengeance, she manipulates Mort into going after him. When he shows hesitance, she questions his masculinity.
This quote is a classic tactic for Ava. Not only does she use her body as a weapon, but she gets to the heart of her prey's insecurities to have them do her bidding.
"You're Everything I've Ever Wanted. Everything I Need."
She says variations of this line to multiple people, but Dwight in particular. Right after she kills Manute, she points a gun at Dwight and repeats those words. Not only is this a final manipulation, it holds a grain of truth.
It is evident that Ava has never been truly happy in her life; only using her assets long enough to ensnare her next prey. She may see a lot of her own brokenness in Dwight. Unfortunately, she can never quite escape her ruthless nature.