The Neon Demon Ending Explained, Is the Movie Based on a True Story?
by Janani
Updated May 17, 2023
The Neon Demon
"The Neon Demon, a psychological horror film released in 2016, was directed by Nicolas Winding Refn and co-written by Mary Laws, Polly Stenham, and Refn himself. The movie features Elle Fanning as the protagonist—an aspiring model in Los Angeles—whose remarkable beauty and youth attract both intense fascination and jealousy within the fashion industry. Notable supporting cast members include Karl Glusman, Jena Malone, Bella Heathcote, Abbey Lee, Desmond Harrington, Christina Hendricks, and Keanu Reeves.
This film is an international co-production involving France, Denmark, and the United States. It competed for the Palme d'Or at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, marking Refn's third consecutive film to do so, following Drive (2011) and Only God Forgives (2013). In the United States, Amazon Studios and Broad Green Pictures released the film theatrically on June 24, 2016. The movie received mixed reviews upon its release and ultimately earned a little over $3 million at the box office, with a budget of $7 million."
The Neon Demon Ending Explained
"The Neon Demon" revolves around the story of Ruby, Sarah, and Gigi, who are depicted as witches. In the beginning, they approach Jesse with an offer, questioning whether she would be food. Since Jesse refuses ritualistic intercourse with Ruby to join their coven, she is deemed as food. They consume her and bathe in her blood to extract her youthfulness. Ruby completes the ritual by expelling Jesse's blood from her body.
The ending of "The Neon Demon" can be metaphorically interpreted. Jesse, initially naive, quickly achieves immense success, leading to her developing a narcissistic personality. She believes that everyone desires to be like her. Although this helps her initially, it eventually alienates people, even those who were once captivated by her. As a result of her arrogance, she becomes consumed by the industry. The blood-bath scene symbolizes emotional destruction, with her enemies reveling in the joy of tearing Jesse apart.
The movie portrays men as predators, but it is ultimately the women who prey on Jesse. The moonlight scene with Ruby represents the beginning of a new cycle, where another newcomer will experience growth or face being discarded like Jesse. The rise and fall of models is cyclic, mirroring the phases of the moon. Jesse recalls her childhood belief that the moon resembled an eye, watching her journey. The all-seeing eye witnesses her ascent and descent. Menstruation, a cyclical process involving the removal of old eggs to make way for new ones, serves as another symbolic representation.
Is The Neon Demon Based on a True Story?
In "The Neon Demon," Nicolas Winding Refn, the Danish director, shares insights into why he considers his cannibal model movie to be autobiographical. Refn reveals that he prefers to approach his work from a space of fear and instinct, highlighting his inclination towards pushing boundaries and generating controversy.
This tendency to provoke and challenge is something Refn has demonstrated repeatedly, including his recent appearance at the Cannes Film Festival. By delving into his own experiences and exploring provocative themes, Refn's artistic vision shines through in "The Neon Demon."
The Neon Demon Plot
"After the death of her parents, sixteen-year-old Jesse moves from Georgia to Los Angeles to pursue a modeling career. She meets photographer Dean and makeup artist Ruby, who introduces her to older models Sarah and Gigi. Jesse pretends during that time.
Jesse gets signed by Roberta Hoffman, a modeling agency owner, who advises her to pretend she is nineteen. She has a successful test shoot with photographer Jack McCarther, which makes Gigi and Sarah jealous of her youth. Jesse attends a casting call where Sarah is present, but designer Robert Sarno is only interested in Jesse. Sarah becomes upset and cuts Jesse's hand, sucking her blood. Jesse hallucinates and faints.
At Sarno's fashion show, Gigi discusses cosmetic surgery with Jesse. During the show, Jesse hallucinates and experiences a change. She goes to a bar with Dean, where Sarno compares her natural beauty to Gigi's surgically enhanced looks. Dean wants to leave, but Jesse refuses, displaying a narcissistic persona.
Jesse has a nightmare and hears an intruder at her door. She calls Ruby, who invites her over. Ruby makes advances toward Jesse, but Jesse rejects her and reveals she is a virgin. Ruby then goes to work at a morgue and engages in necrophilic acts. Ruby returns home to find Jesse embracing her narcissism.
Sarah, Gigi, and Ruby chase Jesse and push her into an empty pool. They approach with knives, butcher Jesse, and consume parts of her body, bathing in her blood. Ruby has occult tattoos and lies in Jesse's grave before being shown nude with blood gushing from her genitals. The next day, Sarah and Gigi attend a shoot with photographer Jack. He becomes infatuated with Sarah and fires another model named Annie.
Gigi falls ill and vomits Jesse's eyeball. Sarah stabs herself in remorse and watches Gigi die before eating the regurgitated eyeball. She then returns to the shoot. In the end credits scene, an unidentified woman walks alone in the Mojave Desert."
The Neon Demon Where to Watch
You could watch The Neon Demon on Netflix. Here are the simple ways to log in to Netflix on your mobile phone.
The Neon Demon Trailer
The Neon Demon Ending Explained - FAQs
"The Neon Demon" is a psychological horror film released in 2016, directed by Nicolas Winding Refn. It follows the story of Jesse, an aspiring model in Los Angeles, whose beauty and youth attract both fascination and jealousy within the fashion industry. The movie explores themes of narcissism, obsession, and the dark side of the modeling world, depicting Jesse's rise to success and subsequent downfall.
At the end of "The Neon Demon," Jesse is consumed by the industry and her own arrogance. She becomes a victim of the other models, who symbolically devour her, extracting her youthfulness and reveling in her destruction. The blood-bath scene represents emotional destruction and the cycle of rise and fall in the modeling industry. The moonlight scene with Ruby signifies the beginning of a new cycle, where another newcomer will experience growth or face a similar fate.
No, "The Neon Demon" is not based on a true story. It is a work of fiction created by Nicolas Winding Refn and the team of writers. While Refn has mentioned that the film is somewhat autobiographical in terms of exploring his fears and instincts as a director, it is not based on actual events or individuals.
You can watch "The Neon Demon" on Netflix. Simply access the Netflix app on your mobile device, log in, and search for the movie to start streaming.
Upon its release, "The Neon Demon" received mixed reviews from critics and had a limited box office success. It earned a little over $3 million worldwide, with a budget of $7 million. Despite its modest financial performance, the film has garnered a cult following and continues to be discussed for its provocative themes and unique visual style.