The Neon Demon (2016)

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%

This is ultimately a movie about the very bad things that can happen when we don't address our unease, when we just try to brush it off, whether that's to fit in or to preserve our self-image.

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

I'm glad I took the chance to watch this despite the ratings. I really enjoyed it, and have seen it a few times now. It is abstract and has a pretty simple message about the issues with vanity and the modeling industry specifically. But personally, I found it entertaining and the acting was on point from all the actors / actresses. Keanu Reeves did a great job; his character was horrible yet hilarious at the same time.POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEADThere's pretty much one sane character (the amateur photographer) and everyone else is psycho or becomes corrupted in some way. But the characters were pretty interesting. There were a lot of strange things that were a bit "what...?", but it worked for a more abstract film. I also think it was clever how the woman who warned Jesse at the beginning to watch out for the male photographer and that "it's good to have good girls around" was ultimately the one who was the worst psycho of all.

I find this film incredibly ironic, as it tries to showcase how focussing on shallow, aesthetics without substance can be poisonous; while being shallow and focussing on aesthetics without any substance. There is no depth to a very weak story, as well as including very random, arty, surrealist scenes that made absolutely no sense to anything else in the film which made it fractured and gave it a sense of stupidity. Way too pretentious for my taste, but if you are into ponce then you'll love this.

The Neon Demon is simply about a beautiful young country girl moving to a big city, because she thinks she can make it in the modelling industry. Not only is the cinematography on of the greatest I've ever seen, in any movie, but the acting is also amazing. Elle Fanning is great as the lead but the show was stolen by Jena Malone as Ruby. Desmond Harrington and Charles Baker also have amazing scenes. The Neon Demon unravels the inner happenings of the modelling industry and what females in the industry deal with. The main theme throughout the movie is beauty. What natural beauty can get you and actions other people will undertake to achieve that beauty, changing the way they look or "becoming plastic people". This is explored well and is an interesting case study into the modelling industry.This deep look into themes puts the character arcs out of focus and it creates a very straightforward reason for all the characters, showing not much emotion or depth. The dialogue is also forgettable. The main negative with this film is all the unnecessary gore and horror. Even though thats the directors signature the movie can be just as powerful without the gore. Refn's love for horror and fetish should not trump the overall quality of the movie.This movie is a visual masterpiece, giving the audience mostly visual storytelling techniques. Some people may not grasp this movie and just find it boring. The Neon Demon is only for people who enjoy arty films or are intelligent enough to grasp the concepts presented.

There are no thrills and the only horror is the fact that I sat through this entire movie hoping for a redeeming quality. This "movie" has no plot, no dialogue and makes no sense. That's a couple hours of my life that I will never get back. How they managed to get any known actors to take part in this is far beyond my ability to comprehend. Do yourself a favor and watch some late night QVC-you'll get more out of it than you will by watching this film.