The Neon Demon (2016)

When aspiring model Jesse moves to Los Angeles, her youth and vitality are devoured by a group of beauty-obsessed women who will take any means necessary to get what she has.

Director:

Nicolas Winding Refn

Writers:

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

Stars:

Elle Fanning, Christina Hendricks, Keanu Reeves

18 wins & 35 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 he attention of the industry and has a successful beginning of career. But Ruby, Gigi and Sarah are capable to do anything to get her "thing".

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Plot Keywords:

lesbian | empty swimming pool | fashion | model | 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

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 June 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

Neonski 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:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Datasat SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The second film by Nicolas Winding Refn to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival that received booing and cheering after the press showing. The first film was Only God Forgives (2013).

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Goofs

When Jesse locks her motel room door about halfway through the movie, the deadbolt goes from locked to unlocked and back to locked between shots.

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Quotes

Sarah: All she really wants to know is, who are you fucking?
Jesse: Sorry?

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Connections

References Valley of the Dolls (1967)

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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 a decade 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, 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. It just seems like he is more fascinated with violence and trying to be someone he is clearly not.