Review of The Neon Demon (2016) by Joaquín F — 17 Sep 2016

A bizarre, gorgeous, twisted, shocking, and absolutely mesmerizing tale of beauty, jealousy, and the loss of innocence. It's polarizing, it is style over substance, and certainly not for everyone for various reasons.

Some people will call it pretentious and messed up, while others will call it a singular masterpiece. Although I don't love it as much as Refn's 2011 masterpiece "Drive" and it is not without flaws, the hyper-stylized visuals and the clever use of metaphors and symbolism won me over in the end.

Elle Fanning is marvelous, walking a thin line between innocence and malice. The film feels cold at times and its wacky third act will surely divide audiences, but I was never bored and consistently mesmerized.

It is the kind of movie that people will analyze for decades to come. A new cult classic? I'd say hell yeah.