The Neon Demon: A Society Cliche
I’m writing this as I listen to Deap Vally's Royal Jelly when I came to realized both have the same vibe. Those neon, electric, dangerous vibe. Contrast, vibrant color. Girls and artificial, temporary beauty. It can be easily be the ost for the movie.
I might say The Neon Demon is the grimm version of Snow White with the princess reenacted by Jesse, the 16 years old model played by Elle Fanning.
Jesse was only a kid. She was a new model and as innocent as Snow White that is lost in the woods of Los Angeles. She might got no magic mirror to tell her she’s the fairest of them all. Society did. Everyone from her agency to photographer to the A-class designer. Sedated her. Seduced into narcissistic world where she sees nothing but herself, drawn to herself.
She’s pretty and aware of it. But society wasn’t made to accept such attitude. Envy is a natural treat to individuals. And there’s almost nothing more humane than envy as it is a part of our ego. It evolved to be self defense mechanism.
Full of envy, the jealous stepmother in the much loved fairy tale took form in two narcissistic, obsessive, insanely pretty models ready to witch hunt her. But they need no poisonous apple to vanish her. Like a blood-thirst creature we are all, they take her down, eat her flesh, and bathed in her blood just to be – quoting Jesse – “second rate version of her”.
Poor Jesse she got no prince charming to rescue her. The only prince charming she knew was sick of her new self that is all about herself & her inherited beauty. Then she was left with a psycho make up artist that is obsessed with her. But instead of helping her – driven by broken heart – she pushed her to her death.
Just like that, the beauty queen is gone.
This movie is hands down the ones with the most aesthetically pleasing visual. The wardrobe, the photoshoot setting, the makeup, everything goes perfectly sync for me on frame. It successfully captured the irony of how cruel fashion industry could be, although it’s border line kitschy.
Still though the set is pleasing my eyes; sadistically beautiful. I have to applaud the art director for making it work with monotonous set. More over this movie might as well be giving some inspo for fashion photoshoot in real life.
The story developed with just a few lines and subtle changes on the casts’ expression. I don’t care rottentomato said the characters are thin writen. Well maybe a little. Refn might as well being excessively explicit with the stereotypical blond girl. How all the three main models character are blond and all they care about is their physical appearance. Competing to be the fairest of them all, turn them into what is seems to be beauty peagant contest gone all Battle Royale.
Another cliche capture by this movie is the premise itself. The Neon Demon only capturing, emphasizing society’s critique for the fashion and beauty industry. So yeah, there is nothing really new about the story. It’s all pretty expected actually (except for the part where the beauties became the canibal beasts). Actually, without Refn this movie can easily be a bad movie instead of potentially cult movie. But it’s still worth it though, at least it’s a candy for the eye. - SIR
