The Neon Demon — A performance with no emotional anchor

Spoiler-free review.

Elle Fanning's performance as the model feels flat, like a style choice rather than a real emotion. Her character's loneliness isn't explained, so the horror comes off as more of a surface reaction to beauty and jealousy. The other actors say their lines with a detached feel, but their characters don't have much to work with.

The film focuses more on strange, dreamlike images than on telling a clear story. Music and lighting take over scenes, sometimes messing up the rhythm or emotional flow. There's a lot of interest in symmetry and mirrors, but it doesn't help us understand the characters' minds.

The dialogue sounds too planned, like it was written rather than spoken naturally. The film's mood keeps changing between being exploitative and thoughtful, but it never really decides which one it wants to be. Jena Malone and Keanu Reeves are there, but their characters don't get much depth.

The real fear in the film never feels personal or deep—it's more about visual shocks than real psychological tension. Even though it tries to be ambitious, it doesn't connect its style with real character growth. It's more about looking cool than making you care about what happens to the main character.

2016 · English. Film details · Film details · Poster source · Artwork © its respective rights holders.

— Desly