The Neon Demon (2016)

An aspiring model, Jesse, is new to Los Angeles. However, her beauty and youth, which generate intense fascination and jealousy within the fashion industry, may prove themselves sinister.

Director:

Nicolas Winding Refn

Writers:

Nicolas Winding Refn (story by), Nicolas Winding Refn (screenplay by)

Stars:

Elle Fanning, Christina Hendricks, Keanu Reeves

18 wins & 36 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Elle Fanning	...	Jesse
Karl Glusman	...	Dean
Jena Malone	...	Ruby
Bella Heathcote	...	Gigi
Abbey Lee	...	Sarah
Desmond Harrington	...	Jack
Christina Hendricks	...	Roberta Hoffmann
Keanu Reeves	...	Hank
Charles Baker	...	Mikey
Jamie Clayton	...	Casting Director
Stacey Danger	...	Casting Assistant
Rebecca Dayan	...	Dresser
Helen Wilson	...	Seamstress
Houda Shretah	...	Roberto Sarno's Assistant
Taylor Marie Hill	...	Flirty Model #1 (as Taylor Hill)

Storyline

The sixteen year-old aspiring model Jesse arrives in Los Angeles expecting to be a successful model. The aspirant photographer Dean takes photos for her portfolio and dates her. Jesse befriends the lesbian makeup artist Ruby and then the envious models Gigi and Sarah in a party. Meanwhile, the agency considers Jesse beautiful with a "thing" that makes her different and she is sent to the professional photographer Jack. Jesse attracts the attention of the industry and experiences a successful beginning of her career. Ruby, Gigi and Sarah, however, will do whatever is necessary to get this "thing" for themselves.

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Plot Keywords:

lesbian | model | empty swimming pool | fashion | cannibalism | 

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Taglines:

The wicked die young

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Genres:

Horror | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for disturbing violent content, bloody images, graphic nudity, a scene of aberrant sexuality, and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

Denmark France USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 June 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Neon Demon

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$7,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$589,014, 26 June 2016, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$1,333,124, 4 August 2016

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,333,124, 4 August 2016

Company Credits

Production Co:

Space Rocket Nation,Vendian Entertainment,Bold Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Datasat SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Nicolas Winding Refn's second feature film shot in Los Angeles.

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Goofs

Jesi says when asked that the blond color of her hair is natural. But it can been seen in several scenes that her hair are dyed.

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Quotes

Jesse: Something's in my room!
Hank: What do you mean something's in your room?
Jesse: I saw something in my room!
Hank: Are you high?

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Connections

References Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970)

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Soundtracks

The Demon Dance
Performed by Julian Winding

User Reviews

Empty as a shell

Its no secret that Refn makes extremely violent movies (like a broad numbers of other directors) - But in his first one, Pusher (which was outstanding), made over two decades ago, you could certainly defend that violent approach due to the great story being told.

However in The Neon Demon Refn seems to loose his ground dwelling into explicit violence and leaving out any reasonable reason why (I am sure he will disagree). The movie is simply without any substance and the story lacks a reasonable meaning - it comes out empty as a shell in my humble view.

Once before Refn tried to copy master David Lynch half psychotic/half sane universe (Twin Peaks, Lost Highway) when he made Fear X and Only God Forgives, but in my opinion Refn simply does not have the talent for this type of genre which The Neon Demon so obviously demonstrates.

It is not that Refn cant make movies. He has made af number of strong movies like Pusher, Bronson and the international Box office succes Drive. But with The Neon Demon it just seems like Refn is more fascinated with violence and trying to be someone he is so clearly not.