# The Neon Demon

> 2016 film directed by Nicolas Winding Refn

**Wikidata**: [Q19750881](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19750881)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Neon_Demon)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-neon-demon

## Summary
*The Neon Demon* is a 2016 psychological horror film directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, known for its dark aesthetic and exploration of body horror, identity, and consumerism. The film stars Elle Fanning as Jesse, a young woman who undergoes extreme plastic surgery to become a "neon demon," a fictional beauty standard, and is pursued by a mysterious figure. It blends surreal visuals, psychological tension, and a critique of societal beauty standards, making it a standout in the psychological horror genre.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: June 23, 2016 (United States)
- **Director**: Nicolas Winding Refn
- **Starring**: Elle Fanning, Keanu Reeves, Jena Malone, Christina Hendricks, Karl Glusman
- **Genre**: Psychological horror, body horror, thriller
- **Runtime**: 118 minutes
- **Country of Origin**: United States, Denmark, France
- **Production Companies**: A24, Film i Väst, Zentropa
- **Budget**: $15 million
- **Box Office**: $1.2 million (worldwide)
- **IMDb ID**: tt1974419
- **Rotten Tomatoes Score**: 59%
- **Metacritic Score**: 6/10
- **Awards**: Nominated for Best Horror Film at the Saturn Awards (2017)
- **Themes**: Body horror, identity, consumerism, psychological terror
- **Notable Sequels or Adaptations**: None
- **Distinctive Visual Style**: Surreal, neon-lit, and grotesque imagery
- **Cultural Impact**: Influenced discussions on beauty standards and body image
- **Wikidata Description**: 2016 film directed by Nicolas Winding Refn
- **Sitelink Count**: 33 (Wikipedia language editions)

## FAQs
**What makes *The Neon Demon* unique in the psychological horror genre?**
*The Neon Demon* stands out for its surreal visuals, grotesque body horror, and critique of societal beauty standards. Unlike traditional horror films, it blends psychological terror with a darkly comedic and philosophical exploration of identity and consumerism.

**Who are the main characters in *The Neon Demon*, and what do they represent?**
The film follows Jesse (Elle Fanning), a young woman obsessed with becoming a "neon demon," a fictional beauty standard. Her journey is pursued by a mysterious figure (Keanu Reeves), who embodies the film's themes of obsession and societal pressures. Other characters, like the plastic surgeon (Karl Glusman) and Jesse's mother (Christina Hendricks), add layers of psychological tension and critique.

**How does *The Neon Demon* compare to other psychological horror films?**
Unlike classic horror films like *The Shining* or *Hereditary*, *The Neon Demon* focuses more on body horror and surreal imagery. Its darkly comedic tone and critique of beauty standards set it apart, making it a distinct entry in the psychological horror genre.

**What is the significance of the "neon demon" in the film?**
The "neon demon" represents the film's central critique of societal beauty standards. It symbolizes the extreme, often unrealistic, ideals of beauty that drive characters like Jesse to extreme measures, blurring the line between obsession and madness.

**How did *The Neon Demon* perform at the box office?**
Despite its critical acclaim, *The Neon Demon* underperformed commercially, grossing only $1.2 million worldwide against a $15 million budget. This was partly due to its niche appeal and the challenging nature of its content.

## Why It Matters
*The Neon Demon* matters as a groundbreaking film in the psychological horror genre, blending surreal visuals, body horror, and a critique of societal beauty standards. Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, the film explores themes of identity, consumerism, and psychological terror in a way that challenges traditional horror tropes. Its dark aesthetic and philosophical depth have influenced discussions on body image and the pressures of modern beauty standards. While it may not have achieved commercial success, *The Neon Demon* has left a lasting impact on filmmakers and audiences alike, solidifying its place as a cult classic in the horror genre.

## Notable For
- **Distinctive Visual Style**: Known for its surreal, neon-lit, and grotesque imagery, setting it apart from other psychological horror films.
- **Critique of Beauty Standards**: The film's exploration of body horror and the "neon demon" concept has influenced discussions on societal beauty ideals.
- **Darkly Comedic Tone**: Blends psychological terror with a darkly comedic approach, creating a unique viewing experience.
- **Nominated for Best Horror Film**: Received a Saturn Award nomination in 2017, recognizing its impact on the genre.
- **Cult Following**: Despite limited commercial success, *The Neon Demon* has developed a dedicated fanbase, cementing its status as a cult classic.
- **Influence on Horror Films**: Inspired subsequent films that blend psychological horror with surreal and grotesque visuals.
- **Exploration of Identity**: The film's themes of identity and obsession have resonated with audiences, making it a standout in the psychological horror genre.

## Body

### Core Definition and Context
*The Neon Demon* is a 2016 psychological horror film directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, known for its dark aesthetic and exploration of body horror, identity, and consumerism. The film stars Elle Fanning as Jesse, a young woman who undergoes extreme plastic surgery to become a "neon demon," a fictional beauty standard, and is pursued by a mysterious figure. It blends surreal visuals, psychological tension, and a critique of societal beauty standards, making it a standout in the psychological horror genre.

### Production and Release
- **Release Date**: June 23, 2016 (United States)
- **Director**: Nicolas Winding Refn
- **Starring**: Elle Fanning, Keanu Reeves, Jena Malone, Christina Hendricks, Karl Glusman
- **Genre**: Psychological horror, body horror, thriller
- **Runtime**: 118 minutes
- **Country of Origin**: United States, Denmark, France
- **Production Companies**: A24, Film i Väst, Zentropa
- **Budget**: $15 million
- **Box Office**: $1.2 million (worldwide)

### Themes and Reception
- **Themes**: Body horror, identity, consumerism, psychological terror
- **Rotten Tomatoes Score**: 59%
- **Metacritic Score**: 6/10
- **Awards**: Nominated for Best Horror Film at the Saturn Awards (2017)
- **Cultural Impact**: Influenced discussions on beauty standards and body image

### Characters and Plot
- **Main Characters**: Jesse (Elle Fanning), the mysterious figure (Keanu Reeves), plastic surgeon (Karl Glusman), Jesse's mother (Christina Hendricks)
- **Plot**: Jesse undergoes extreme plastic surgery to become a "neon demon," a fictional beauty standard, and is pursued by a mysterious figure who embodies the film's themes of obsession and societal pressures.
- **Distinctive Visual Style**: Surreal, neon-lit, and grotesque imagery

### Related Works and Influence
- **Notable Sequels or Adaptations**: None
- **Influence on Horror Films**: Inspired subsequent films that blend psychological horror with surreal and grotesque visuals.
- **Exploration of Identity**: The film's themes of identity and obsession have resonated with audiences, making it a standout in the psychological horror genre.

### Technical and Structural Details
- **IMDb ID**: tt1974419
- **Wikidata Description**: 2016 film directed by Nicolas Winding Refn
- **Sitelink Count**: 33 (Wikipedia language editions)
- **Distinctive Visual Style**: Surreal, neon-lit, and grotesque imagery

### Cultural and Academic Significance
- **Critique of Beauty Standards**: The film's exploration of body horror and the "neon demon" concept has influenced discussions on societal beauty ideals.
- **Darkly Comedic Tone**: Blends psychological terror with a darkly comedic approach, creating a unique viewing experience.
- **Cult Following**: Despite limited commercial success, *The Neon Demon* has developed a dedicated fanbase, cementing its status as a cult classic.

### Platforms and Availability
- **Streaming Platforms**: Available on various platforms, including A24's streaming service.
- **Physical Media**: Released on DVD and Blu-ray.

### Awards and Recognition
- **Nominated for Best Horror Film**: Saturn Awards (2017)
- **Cultural Impact**: Influenced discussions on beauty standards and body image.

### Conclusion
*The Neon Demon* is a groundbreaking film in the psychological horror genre, blending surreal visuals, body horror, and a critique of societal beauty standards. Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, the film explores themes of identity, consumerism, and psychological terror in a way that challenges traditional horror tropes. Its dark aesthetic and philosophical depth have influenced discussions on body image and the pressures of modern beauty standards. While it may not have achieved commercial success, *The Neon Demon* has left a lasting impact on filmmakers and audiences alike, solidifying its place as a cult classic in the horror genre.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1974419/)
2. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=232793.html)
3. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
4. Danish Film Database
5. The Movie Database
6. The Neon Demon. Rotten Tomatoes
7. [Kinopolis](http://www.mathaeser.de/mm/film/DE554000012PLXMQDD.php)
8. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1974419/releaseinfo)
9. [Source](http://nmhh.hu/dokumentum/198182/terjesztett_filmalkotasok_art_filmek_nyilvantartasa.xlsx)
10. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1974419/releaseinfo/)
11. [Source](http://www.anothermag.com/design-living/8819/elle-fanning-on-making-the-neon-demon)
12. The Neon Demon
13. BBC Things
14. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1974419/technical/)
15. Kinopoisk
16. [Source](http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/neon-demon-film)
17. [Source](http://mkrf.ru/registr/detail.php?ID=185573200)
18. [Source](http://www.kijkwijzer.nl/index.php?id=26&i=259190)
19. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/the-neon-demon/)
20. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
21. [Source](https://www.eirin.jp/list/index.php?s_year=2016&s_month=10&e_year=2016&e_month=10&pageID=2)
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25. Brazilian Advisory Rating System
26. [Source](http://infoicaa.mecd.es/CatalogoICAA/Peliculas/GetPdf?Pelicula=211516)
27. [Source](http://cnc.abt.ro/registru/index.aspx?pageID=3&filmID=15405)
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33. [Source](https://www.rcq.gouv.qc.ca/RCQ212AfficherFicheTech.asp?intNoFilm=400654)
34. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/The_Neon_Demon-MWXE6Z)
35. [Source](http://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/829F4F440049BA00)
36. TheTVDB
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38. FilmVandaag.nl