The Neon Demon

A 2016 American psychological horror film directed by Nicolas Winding Refn. The story follows a young woman named Jesse (Elle Fanning) who moves to Los Angeles with dreams of becoming a successful model. Possessing natural beauty and innocence, she quickly captures the attention of influential figures in the fashion industry, including photographer Jack (Desmond Harrington) and modeling agent Jan (Christina Hendricks). However, her rapid rise provokes jealousy and hostility from other models—Gigi (Bella Heathcote) and Sarah (Abbey Lee)—who are willing to do anything to maintain their status in the cutthroat world of fashion. Jesse also befriends makeup artist Ruby (Jena Malone), who shows a particular interest in her and becomes her confidante. As Jesse delves deeper into the glamorous yet soulless world of modeling, she begins to uncover its dark side, where beauty becomes not only an object of admiration but also a source of obsession, envy, and violence. The film explores themes of narcissism, exploitation, and the destructive power of beauty, illustrating how innocence can be consumed by the cruelty and madness of the surrounding world.