Nicolas Winding Refn is one of the most valuable directors out there today, because you can always count on him to follow his artistic vision wherever it may lead him. The helmer has taken us behind bars for Bronson, into a misty and mysterious land that may be Hell itself for Valhalla Rising and to a variety of other strange and distinct locales. Now, Refn is returning to California for a very different story than his LA-set Drive, and today we’ve got some new shots from the horror flick, titled The Neon Demon.
Elle Fanning stars as an aspiring model whose youth and beauty makes her the target of older, jealous models who’ll do anything to regain the halcyon days of their youth. The female-dominated cast includes Jena Malone, Karl Glusman, Bella Heathcote, Abbey Lee, Desmond Harrington, Christina Hendricks and Keanu Reeves.
Though details are still being kept pretty hush-hush, The Neon Demon takes inspiration from Elizabeth of Bathory, the infamous countess who bathed in the blood of servant girls out of a conviction that this horrific practice would keep her young forever. Make of that what you will.
Production is just wrapping up on the movie now, with plans to have the film completely done by 2016 and possibly competing in festivals next year. The Neon Demon certainly has an intriguing premise and a great cast, but even just the prospect of seeing Refn tackle the dark, seedy world of Hollywood celebrities would be enough to get me into a theater. He’s one of the most distinctive voices in cinema right now, and love him (Drive) or hate him (Only God Forgives), he never fails to mesmerize and mystify.
