118 minutes, Drama/Horror
Welcome to the ugly side of beauty.
To a film you will either intensely dislike or undoubtedly love.
A film that is director Nicolas Winding Refn’s second in a row to receive both booing and a standing ovation following its premier at the Cannes Film Festival.
One guarantee can be made – see it, and you will never forget.
Welcome to THE NEON DEMON, a provocative, unashamedly superficial and sickly twisted tale about a group of young women who will stop at nothing to achieve their dreams. Shot in chronological order with an ending improvised on set, THE NEON DEMON begins with 16 year-old Jesse (Elle Fanning), a naive and shy girl who moves to Los Angeles all on her own in an attempt to begin a modelling career. As she slowly gains work and fame in this ultra-competitive world, fellow competing models Gigi (Bella Heathcote) and Sarah (Australia’s Abbey Lee) find themselves becoming equally curious by and envious of Jesse and her natural beauty.
Right from the opening frame, as Jesse takes her very first steps onto a catwalk filled with derange and danger, a couple of observations are instantly made. One, Jesse’s personality does not belong in this industry, though her appearance and adaptable style certainly do. Two, from a cinematic perspective, you are experiencing a masterpiece. Noted for his stunning use of colour, our colour-blind film director has produced a transfixing, hypnotic and edgy drama/horror that is visually stunning and sensationally scored. This work of high art doesn’t just possess good-looks though, making its inside count too.
The narrative works as a two-fold, with Jesse’s journey and her gradual transition being fascinating, yet ominous, to watch. Then there is the darkly humourous and often ridiculing treatment of the beauty industry which form a winning combo of wicked entertainment. Though THE NEON DEMON’S scripting won’t seduce as many viewers as it will from a sensory standing, the utterly brave and universally outstanding showcase of acting from Elle Fanning is indisputable. This is one of the standout performances of 2016.
Therefore, it is somewhat of a shame that only two thirds of the film (roughly) has been scripted! Once the scripted section of the film has seemingly concluded, THE NEON DEMON loses a fair amount of its stranglehold so potently cast. The audience are whisked away towards a decidedly arty psychological horror finale that is seriously f***ed up! This extraordinary film tends to feel as though it’s deviating from its earlier originality in some aspects and it does leave you to guess some of its more abstract elements. While watching, you may feel left in limbo for too long. However, if you’ve come this far and loved what you’ve been experiencing the past couple of hours, I assure you of this – you may leave THE NEON DEMON behind as you exit the cinema, but THE NEON DEMON will be staying right with you.
4.5 out of 5
Viewer Discretion
R18+ – High Impact Sexual Themes
THE NEON DEMON contains disturbing violent content, bloody images, language, graphic nudity and a scene of aberrant sexuality.
Moviedoc wishes to thank Sophie from Madman, Madman and Cinema NOVA for the invitation to the screening of THE NEON DEMON.
Review by Moviedoc
“LIKE” on Facebook – Moviedoc
©
Moviedoc 
Leave a comment