The Neon Demon * * *

 It would be easy to wipe off The Neon Demon as the directors exercise in self indulgence: but after his excellent 2011 film Drive I am giving Nicolas Winding Refn, the benefit of the doubt .

   The Neon Demon is an arty horror film - actually it is not that horrifying - a bit bloody and utterly gross at times - but hardly nail biting.  Personally I felt very safe whilst watching it, as the only victims are beautiful looking people.  

She's a model and she's looking good.
(Apologies to Kraftwerk)

   In some ways The Neon Demon is a trying film.  It is totally unreal and has a dream like quality, like everyone is on drugs or disconnected in some way.

   Many of the interiors are hugely stylised. They are sets that work for the scene, rather than what might be real: Like the extravagant home of a makeup artist who otherwise has to supplement her income by working as a mortician. Even the womens toilet in a nightclub is a cavernous place of mystery (unless womens toilets really are like that. I wouldn't know as I don't go into them).

   With our sense of reality broken down, symbolic scenes are no longer suggestive but become actual, never mind the logic.  In this environment of limbo between brutal metaphors and reality the director can pretty well do anything he likes - and he does.  
For the audience it can be exciting or testing of one's patience.  It had both effects on me. An invader in a Motel room is completely illogical but beautiful, exciting - and prophetic.
   We are introduced to aspiring model Jesse soon after she has arrived in LA. When we meet her she is doing a macabre “fashion” shoot.  
 She befriends Ruby, a makeup artist, who seems so nice at first, but  has sexual fantasies and fetishes that are quite stomach turning (and I’m a fairly broad minded fellow).

Actually nearly every character  is selfish, manipulative, exploitative, cruel and vain to the point of psychotic.

 A couple of members of the cast actually worked as fashion models apparently.  They look like it. (they’re Aussies too).  The role of Jesse is played by teenager Elle Fanning, who has mostly played child roles until now apparently.  Everyone in the film is enamored, angry or lustful of her beauty, so we just have to believe their reaction to her.  But to any level headed person she would just look like another teenage girl of average prettiness (Wow! I’m starting to think as bitchily as the people in this film).   But I don’t suppose her looks matter that much.   As a naive young girl with aspirations and a willingness to utterly compromise herself she is quite convincing.

   In the end, after the gore, the slashing and the blood bath (literally), the not so subtle message is received: This industry is full of vampires.