Review of The Neon Demon (2016) by Manicure — 22 Nov 2020

Nicolas Winding Refn tells the cruelty, superficiality, and emptiness of the fashion industry with a self-indulgent, pretentious film that feels just as cold and empty. I don't like the phrase "style over substance", as not all films need to have an engaging plot or make life-changing statements, but ravishing cinematography aside there is literally nothing here. And by "ravishing" I might have made an understatement: "The Neon Demon" is in many ways the pinnacle of Refn's aesthetic pursuit, and offers two hours of dazzling, beautifully composed shots that go beyond haute couture glamour. As suggested by the title, the photography is dominated by a vivid palette of highly saturated neon colors, often playing with contrasts of red and blue, two colors that retain a symbolic meaning in the film. However, that's really all about it.

The plot follows young model Jess as the moral corruption of the industry transforms her from the naive girl next door we love into a narcissistic **** Refn fills the script with awkward dialogue and trite commentaries on the industry and the destructive force of beauty that consumes both who has it and who seeks it.

The first half is actually pretty enjoyable, as you are have not grown tired of the visuals yet and wonder what direction the film is going. Then it all turns into a tacky music video with cannibal lesbian witches… Don't misunderstand me, I DO appreciate that Refn always tries to cross the line and do extreme stuff, and I have no problem seeing **** guts flying around, even in a serious film. However, this time it just looked like a tasteless provocation from a fetishist. I know those scenes were meant to shock and disturb, but they are so corny I almost laughed the whole time. But that's pretty much all you will remember about the film.

My interpretation: that the natural beauty that Jesse owns is some kind of powerful magic that attracts people, and that makes her unknowingly some kind of witch herself. The three witches notice that and plot to eat her as soon as she reaches full power so that her magic can be passed on to them (it's starting to sound like Attack on Titan). Gigi's beauty is manufactured, probably she wasn't even born with her power, and eventually couldn't take it? Who knows, but Jess being eaten was a nice metaphor of showbiz, where there is always someone ready to feast on your corpse the second you die.

I kept this review warm for weeks as I was not sure about my final verdict, but let's go for a more than decent rating to honor not only the beauty of the cinematography, but also Refn's will to risk with every film.