The Neon Demon

Plot

The sixteen year-old aspiring model Jesse arrives in Los Angeles expecting to be a successful model. The aspirant photographer Dean takes photos for her portfolio and dates her. Jesse befriends the lesbian makeup artist Ruby and then the envious models Gigi and Sarah in a party. Meanwhile, the agency considers Jesse beautiful with a "thing" that makes her different and she is sent to the professional photographer Jack. Jesse attracts the attention of the industry and experiences a successful beginning of her career. Ruby, Gigi and Sarah, however, will do whatever is necessary to get this "thing" for themselves.

Why watch

Jesse, a sixteen-year-old aspiring model, arrives in Los Angeles, where her beauty quickly becomes both her greatest asset and her most dangerous liability. As she navigates the treacherous waters of the fashion world, the film immerses viewers in a nightmarish exploration of ambition, envy, and the grotesque nature of beauty.

Talking points

• the nature of beauty and its consequences
• the impact of ambition on relationships
• the portrayal of women in the fashion industry
• the intersection of horror and art

Cultural context

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