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 & 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 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:

Part fairy tale, part bloodbath.

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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:

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

This is the second collaboration between actresses and actor Christina Hendricks, Elle Fanning, and Alessandro Nivola. The first was Ginger & Rosa (2012), where Hendricks, Fanning, and Nivola played mother, daughter, and father.

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Goofs

When Jesse is wiping the fake blood from her neck and shoulders in the mirror, and Ruby comes to help, the blood stains change shape continuously from one shot to the next.

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Quotes

Jesse: I know what I look like. Women would kill to look like this.

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Connections

Featured in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Gordon Ramsay/Elle Fanning/Jack Aiello/Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (2016)

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Soundtracks

Waving Goodbye
Performed by Sia
Produced & Engineered by Diplo & Djemba Djemba
Written by Sia
Recorded at Mad Decent Studios
Sia appears courtesy of Monkey Puzzle Records
Diplo appears courtesy of Mad Decent

User Reviews

Don't waste your time.

The only positive thing I can think to say about this film is in regards to the cinematography, which is absolutely stunning. Visually, The Neon Demon is a quite beautiful film... But unfortunately, that's all that really I enjoyed about it. The film seemed to pride itself on its symbolism, but never gave much substance plot-wise to make the symbolism mean anything at all. The Neon Demon really did have the potential to make a profound statement about beauty in our society, but it fell far too short to make any sort of lasting impression. As someone who was extremely excited to finally get to watch this movie, my expectations fell flat.