#348: THE NEON DEMON

2016

Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn

Psychological Horror, Body Horror, Surrealism.

The Neon Demon is the latest film from director Nicolas Winding Refn, most famous for his runaway hit film Drive that starred Ryan Gosling. If you saw his follow up film Only God Forgives, you'll know the director took a left turn into extreme violence and experimentalism, which ended up really polarizing fans of Drive. It's safe to say that if you didn't like Only God Forgives, and are wanting to see a more story driven film like Drive again, you'll probably be best off avoiding this one!

That said, if you happened to like Only God Forgives, there is a lot to like here. From the brilliant 80s looking opening credit crawl, The Neon Demon moves at a slow, dreamlike pace and keeps you guessing where the movie is heading for the most part. 16 year old Elle Fanning stars as a model who has only just arrived to L.A. and is admired and hired by all the most esteemed photographers and modelling agencies, leaving more experienced, hard working models left in the dust. The film's dialogue is purposely a little wooden, building up a feeling that you are in this plastic Barbie Doll world. As the film goes on, the innocent Elle Fanning finds herself under threat from a sinister motel owner (in a very good supporting role from Keanu Reeves) and her jealous model peers who will go to any lengths to see her out of the modelling industry.

If you are used to Nicolas Winding Refn's previous films, you'll know that his visuals and music takes the centre stage instead of the script and plot. Refn likes to use dialogue sparingly, although there is suitably more here than his previous film Only God Forgives which seemed to lack a script entirely! Visually the film nods towards the colour tinted lenses of Michael Mann, the slow, dark and dreamy feel of David Lynch and the colour coded scenes of Dario Argento's Suspiria. The film itself is even more beautiful to look at than the largely female cast of models. The Neon Demon boasts one of the best film scores I've heard, probably since Drive. Cliff Martinez returns with a pounding Industrial/Electronic score that made me want to get out of my cinema chair and start raving! Hearing this score played loudly in the cinema kept me interested even during points where there wasn't a lot going on in the plot.

The first hour or so is relatively easy going, with a few tense moments hinting at possible horrors that might potentially unfold. For the uninitiated, it may take a while to get into the films slow pacing, and it is a film that requires some patience. Fortunately, the film is driven by a wonderful and mysterious atmosphere that I found kept me engrossed throughout. After the first hour or so comes the true biting point of the film. The last half hour descends into something reminiscent of an 80s David Cronenberg film, and the most violent parts of Drive and Only God Forgives start to turn up. The film isn't particular violent in the way of physical violence, but turns into a gross out Body Horror film that will either have the audience walking out feeling sick, or enjoying the film even more if you are into extreme cinema! The guys behind me in the cinema couldn't resist shouting "WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?" during a rather repulsive scene that nods towards Nekromantik. A couple even ended up walking out before the film had finished! The last third of the film is genuinely mental and oppressive, and easily the biggest talking point of the film.

Nicolas Winding Refn doesn't seem interested in making a commercial hit film like Drive again. He is the kind of director who has the ability to wow his audience with one hand, and then genuinely repulse them with the other. As a whole I think this was a better all around film than Only God Forgives, which went to too absurd and violent heights. If you are willing to stick with The Neon Demon, there are some truly wonderous moments to be found, particularly in how immersive the visuals and score are. It felt like it could have easily been a giant music video rather than a film. Just don't go into the film expecting another Drive! 8/10.