Official promotional poster. Rights belong to the respective rights holders.
Read the film reference Availability and pricing vary by region.The Neon DemonA movie brief.
2016 / Arthouse horror film / Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn
A young model's beauty sparks intense fascination and envy in Los Angeles.
What is The Neon Demon about?
A 16-year-old aspiring model moves from a small town in Georgia to Los Angeles. She meets a photographer and makeup artists who introduce her to a world of beauty and demise.
Five things to know.
Setup
The film follows Jesse, a 16-year-old aspiring model who moves from a small town in Georgia to Los Angeles to pursue a career in modeling.
World
The film is set in the fashion industry in Los Angeles, where beauty and vanity reign supreme.
Pressure
Jesse faces intense pressure and envy from her peers, who are jealous of her natural beauty and youth.
Craft
The film features striking visuals and a unique blend of horror and fashion elements, with a score composed by Cliff Martinez.
Viewing note
The film contains graphic content, including violence and necrophilia, and may not be suitable for all audiences.
A thought to take with you.
Jesse's arrival in Los Angeles gives her access to a fashion world that treats youth and appearance as a form of currency. The people who praise her also assess her as competition, making admiration and threat increasingly difficult to separate.
Is it your kind of movie?
Choose it for stylized fashion-world horror about beauty and envy. It contains graphic violence and disturbing imagery; the story's central character is a teenager.
Sources & scope
This AI-assisted brief is based on the linked secondary reference. Facts and interpretation are separated; it does not claim personal viewing or independent expert review.
Source details checked October 5, 2026. Suggest a correction · Our editorial approach