Review: The Neon Demon

Sweet teenager Elle Fanning has moved to LA in hopes of making it as a fashion model. Her quick ascendance rubs some of the other beauty-obsessed young models (particularly Bella Heathcoate and Abby Lee) the wrong way, but make-up artist Jena Malone takes her under her wing. Keanu Reeves plays a surly motel manager, Desmond Harrington is a photographer, Alessandro Nivola a fashion designer, and Christina Hendricks is the head of the modelling agency hiring Fanning.

Although nowhere near as bad as I had heard, this 2016 flick is definitely the weakest film I’ve seen from writer-director Nicolas Winding Refn (“Valhalla Rising” and “Drive” being his best). It really doesn’t go anywhere for the first hour and although it sets up quite the sleazy Jess Franco-esque look, sound, and mood it ultimately completely cops out on the sex. Given the age of the protagonist I understand why, but if you’re going to set the film up a certain way you can’t really end up wimping out, either. There were ways to give us plenty of sex without it involving Fanning, for a start.

A synth score by Cliff Martinez (“Traffic”, “Drive”) and some very gaudy, bright imagery (including the credits) give off an immediate Franco meets Argento vibe. The use of colour is especially bold and Eurotrash in the most complimentary sense. The very strobe-y look at times obviously makes it a likely no-go for epileptics, but the film certainly isn’t lacking for style. The story too, is vintage Franco with a young innocent girl being somewhat corrupted in the big bad world. All that’s lacking are the sex and the sadism. Winding Refn claims to not have been influenced by Franco at all, but enjoys the soundtracks to his films. I’m not buying it, the influence is plain as day. Meanwhile, the underrated Jena Malone immediately steals the film, whilst Elle Fanning is well-cast as the innocent and sweet girl. Keanu Reeves proves here that he should play sleazebags more often, because in this and “The Gift” he has proven he’s fairly good at it. In fact, I can’t believe I’m saying this but this is a film that could’ve used a bit more Keanu Reeves. I don’t know if it’s intentional or not, but he’s hilarious. Speaking of hilarious, Bella Heathcote’s character is darkly and pathetically funny. At least I hope the humour is intentional, I’m certainly not one of those people who tried to pass off “Showgirls” as intentionally satirical. No, it was just laughably shit. On the less effective end of things among the cast, is a completely useless and constipated Alessandro Nivola, whilst Desmond Harrington looks alarmingly gaunt and unwell as a pervy photographer.

I enjoyed some of this film, but it doesn’t go anywhere much in the end. It also sets up a sure-fire erotic premise that the writer-director doesn’t bother delivering on. Yes, I am advocating for a trashier film (somewhere in between Jess Franco and “Beyond the Valley of the Dolls”), and I’m also aware that I’m partly criticising the film for what it isn’t, but I do believe it bleeds into criticising what the film is as well. Had either of these issues been addressed, the other issue likely wouldn’t matter so much. As is, it’s watchable but really frustrating. Definitely the director’s most disappointing film that I’ve seen, but it looks and sounds terrific, and most of the performances are good.

Rating: C+