That redemption is possible has to be a given in anything that could be called Christian noir. The term "noir" implies realism. In reality as seen by the Christians I've known, redemption is not only possible but largely what life's about.
A favorite story of mine, Flannery O'Connor's "Revelation" presents the main character Ruby Turpin as such a despicably smug, self-congratulatory bigot that when a girl in a doctor's office calls her a warthog from hell and physically attacks her, we can't help but cheer. Yet we cheer again when Ruby gets redeemed., because her redemption is perfectly fitting.
If pressed for a label, I'd be tempted to call many of O'Connor's stories Southern Gothic Christian Noir. Anyone who hasn't read her should race to the bookstore or library and get started.
"All my stories are about the action of grace on a character who is not very willing to support it, but most people think of these stories as hard, hopeless and brutal." - Flannery O'Connor
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