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The Neon Demon (2016)

Trailer
1:34 | Trailer
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.

Writers:

Nicolas Winding Refn (story by), Nicolas Winding Refn (screenplay by) | 2 more credits »
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Popularity
904 ( 86)
19 wins & 38 nominations. See more awards »

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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 Houda Shretah ... Roberto Sarno's Assistant
Taylor Hill ... Flirty Model #1
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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. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Beauty isn't everything. It's the only thing. See more »

Genres:

Horror | Thriller

Certificate:

18A | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Feature film debut of Jamie Clayton. See more »

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. See more »

Quotes

Ruby: She has that... thing.
See more »

Alternate Versions

The theatrical R-rated version and unrated version are different only in the second morgue scene as follows: (A) Female genital nudity is depicted 1 hour 29 minutes and 0 seconds into the film. In the R rated version (which played in US theaters), when Ruby was kissing the corpse (played by a female actress), the bottom of the frame showed the upper half of the vulva (inclusive of somewhat blurred labia, due to the camera focus on the kissing). In the "unrated" version (NOT the theatrical version or the director's narrative - which both emulate the R rated version seen in US theaters), that same moment depicts VERY clear labial exposure (as in medical clarity, yet artistically depicted). (B) Note that the unrated version also shows Ruby's hand brush along the genitalia as it sweeps up to the left breast (R rated version prolongs the cut-away to the Jessie fantasy shot), and also depicts Ruby bouncing on the corpse as she reaches orgasm (while the R rated version shows only the close up of her face). The foley work and soundtrack during the unrated morgue scene are subtly but noticeably different. In short, the unrated cut sounds a lot more "squishy" with ample "smacking" sounds. The uncut version appears to be available through iTunes only, despite being an Amazon production,which you can find here: https://itunes.apple.com/mt/movie/the-neon-demon/id1129719992 (That means if you want to watch it on a TV you'll need an AppleTV to play it). See more »

Connections

Featured in Starfilm (2017) See more »

Soundtracks

The Demon Dance
Performed by Julian Winding
See more »

User Reviews

 
Questioning what I just saw makes this even more cinematic art
25 June 2016 | by subxerogravitySee all my reviews

And it is a beautiful piece of art work, just like a painting moving.

Think we have to give a lot of credit to The Director of Photography for her stunning work adding to the film's beauty and intensity.

I went to see this movie because I'm a huge fan of the director's previous film, Drive, but now I'm beginning to see that Drive may have been a fluke, a one time thing. Especially after seeing his follow up film, Only God Forgives, which like this movie, all his movies as a matter of fact, were shot with such style and beauty.

The Neon Demon started off slow for me and I was thinking it was going to leave me dissatisfied like Only God Forgives , but that's not what happen. The confusion of the right turn this movie makes made it worth the watch. Truly like a piece of art, the overall product touched me and became very indulging.

Elle Fanning leads a well done cast of character performances, even Keanu Reaves was great. I think this is Elle's first adult role playing an underage model struggling to make it in LA. The movie explores possibly the best and worse case scenario of what could happen to a young girl alone in that city.

Definitely a great movie to watch. It's not Drive, but loved it far better than Only God Forgives.


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Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook | Official site | See more »

Country:

USA | Belgium | Denmark | France

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 June 2016 (Canada) See more »

Also Known As:

Le démon de néon See more »

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$7,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$589,014, 26 June 2016

Gross USA:

$1,333,124

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,377,430
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | Datasat | SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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