The Neon Demon Ending Explained

Let's break down the craziest third act of 2016.
Let me know your thoughts down below!
When aspiring model Jesse moves to Los Angeles, her youth and vitality are devoured by a group of beauty-obsessed women who will take any means necessary to get what she has.
THE NEON DEMON:
Director: Nicolas Winding Refn
Writers: Nicolas Winding Refn
Stars: Elle Fanning, Christina Hendricks, Keanu Reeves
Neon Demon Explained
---------------------------------------­­­--------------------------------------­-­-­
Follow Me On
► Facebook: / theatzshow
► Twitter: / theatzshow
► Patreon: / theatzshow
► Soundcloud: / theatzshow
►AtZ Flicks Channel!
/ @letmeexplain
►Artwork by: / amcdrawings
►Music by: MC Music
/ @marcuscastillo1848
►Graphic Designs by: The Late Reviews
/ thelatereviews1

[@wangray9456]

When he was doing the interviews and his actors are staring at him, they were all thinking: wow, he is nuts.

[@bo4287]

or pretentious. or full of shit lols

[@sirdickkickerthefirst9611]

@@bo4287 He might actually be doing that on purpose as a joke.

[@unvergebeneid]

Makes you wonder if the actors hadn't noticed that before, like, during the shoot.

[@slamerrill]

And yet, they were apart of it. So, what does that say about them? Lol

[@jagw7827]

This movie was so fucked up but I loved every second of it...

[@PrinzeDemagio]

I loved it too and the soundtrack

[@1977Suspiria]

Jagoda Więckiewicz I like Toblerone, I am eating one right now.👍☺

[@jsva-ri-teashow]

Jag W Highly Agree!

[@plumlogan]

I kinda thought it was boring ... it just felt like, "do you get my metaphor? Do you get it? Do you get it?" maybe if i was a chick i could internalize it differently, but as a guy it felt like a mediocre criticism of consumerism, and that's been done a million times and better

[@NaumRusomarov]

His two other movies Drive and Only God Forgives are equal parts of gorgeous and fucked up.

[@azazel3645]

Also her name Jesse seems to be a biblical reference to Jezebel. In regards of how she is pushed and dies and also gets eaten.

[@TheAtZShow]

Great point!

[@paulrevere8470]

Tina Delic greaaat catch!!

[@MoxieBoosted]

Refn is literally Robert California from "The Office".

[@vaporsaver]

The lizard king!

[@TheGililgi]

Moxie Boosted lmao

[@HerbDinoOhNo]

Listening to the directer talk makes me understand the movie a lot better, i.e. why I don't understand it.

[@TheAtZShow]

😂😂

[@nicholasbarrett875]

The video was called 'The Neon Demon Ending Explained'. If anybody understood the ending, please let me know because my KZbin seems to have left out that part (the rest was just fine, except for the shot of the DVD box that had Elle Fanning as co-star with ... Keanu Reeves! I don't think so.)

[@tizzbabe4386]

@@nicholasbarrett875 The ending is a ritual. It was unexpected for me her death but looking back death surrounded her. Her entry into modeling was her being portrayed as a corpse. The girls at the end have completely lost themselves. They are not that in control of this as the character Ruby is that’s why the Gigi girl killed herself. They were basically overtaken by a force. The one that ate was controlled by the force and that’s why she ate it but also cried because she’s still human but she returns to modeling m

[@user-kz3gk1tp7z]

Excuse meeee? I really can´t cope with this "I am from the future..." crap. Isn´t the director a bit pretentious or he´s high on dope?

[@tylerc8873]

it is all part of his act

[@robotzombie9194]

hes the neon demon not because he shines because hes new

[@serenvals]

definitely both, heard people saying same shit when high on who knows what in london art circles )))))

[@ettena93]

Well, he did say that he saw himself in 16 year old Jesse. That she was the female version of him. So... I guess that's a subtle way of saying that he likes to kiss the reflection of himself in the mirror. But most artists in every field who have put their name on the map are a bit high on themselves, it's not uncommon.

[@air4seduction]

Art should comfort the disturbed and disturbe the comfortable

[@tonyyoung3985]

The visuals were stunning but they really needed to develop Elle's character more. She never really becomes that successful, going from motel to squatting in a mansion overnight. She says she's dangerous, but we only saw one girl having a breakdown and blaming it on her. Not quite a danger. We could have gotten more of that before the third act.

[@ichbimmichelle]

she was dangerous because she was aware of her own beauty, not because she attacked anyonne or something like that.

[@tonyyoung3985]

I got that, but wanted to see it demonstrated more prior to that scene

[@LadyImagine]

I think it was very obvious that her character was about to sky rocket in terms of popularity. Many people were infatuated by her looks and energy and although she didn't achieve major success, she would have very quickly had she not been murdered.

[@wolfcat87]

Over developing her character would have been a cliche and a faux pas. It wasn't about making her more of a person. It was a glimpse into how fleeting beauty and power are and how quickly you can be eaten alive. Then, she was just another memory. That's reality. People are chewed up and spit out every day. How many do you remember?

[@DylanRomanov]

I love this whole thread I agree with all of you in a way

[@MObar]

The key point here is that Refn loves Chinese food.

[@sidolanters]

Chinese food is the only thing worth ranking.

[@ashrafbakr3687]

I hear it's very scarce in the future!

[@user-rd6uc2sf6i]

Chinese food is the neon demon

[@MedusasLover168]

"Beauty will become the next class war" Me: Hasn't it always been?

[@karkussthesupreme5454]

The world is heading towards the "roll with the punches or get knocked out" way of life. Meaning we will no longer have a choice to live a lifestyle we long for but will be given a multiple choice and will have to make a decision from those choices given or get the fuck out of dodge.

[@Animefreak242]

Yes. That answer is ridiculous.

[@felinefatale7773]

I like to think this is about witchcraft. Elle Fanning being the natural witch. Gigi and Sarah characters being the practicing witches. Ruby being the Devil.

[@christiegreenwood2642]

Even if you're just kidding, this idea is pretty awesome! Someone write that.

[@ScottMcDaniel]

Or like Salieri and Mozart in Amadeus.

[@LadyKataNova]

Watch suspiria, you will see how similar both films are.

[@mmcooper80]

Similar color palette as well.

[@Zton-yn4kc]

In a Q&A we were at a woman asked if he based the movie around the mythology of the Navajo Skinwalkers and he was very quiet and deflected.

[@warpnl1]

The lipstick Red Rum is a refference to 'The Shinings' Redrum wich meant murder backwards.

[@TheAtZShow]

Yup!

[@jeysey200]

Obviously

[@dfkfgjfg]

I thought I was the only one to notice

[@dumpsky]

how about it's just murder spelled backwards without any connection to the shining?

[@dfkfgjfg]

dumpsky It's an iconic scene from the Shining and the director was inspired by that film. The style is very similar in both films so it's safe to say that's where he got it from

[@ettena93]

Just a question: In the bathroom at the party in the beginning of the movie, Ruby asks Jesse what her lipstick color would be ("are you food, or sex?"). So... if Jesse had slept with Ruby (sex), could that have kept her from ending up as food (or dessert for all that matters)? It seemed like Ruby was the one in control, and she seemed more obsessed with Jesse's skin (and her body) rather than her blood. Sarah was the one who licked the blood from Jesse's wrist in the beginning, after all. And it seemed like Ruby made up her mind after Jesse rejected her and then drew the diagram in the mirror. And do you guys feel sorry for doe eyed Jesse, or did her narcissism earn her some bad karma? I feel like this movie was an excellent metaphor to how insane the beauty industry has become, but the crazy tribal-ish killing spree (at least from Ruby's side) somehow made the impact less powerful and less cold. But it also made it more twisted. Rather than just killing her to get rid of competition, they ate her and consumed the new It girl that stood in the way of their career climbing. All in all I liked this movie and it surprised me in a good way, I didn't see it coming.

[@n8strength]

CallMeEuphoria I thoroughly enjoyed most of the movie, just wasn't happy with how the story eventually unfolded. After seeing the trailer, I was under the impression that there was going to be a sort of science fiction type of twist, with Jesse perhaps turning into the panther (in her motel room), or into a more literal meaning of a demon, rather than figuritavely. Something along those lines anyway. Overall I did like it. The music and visual components were amazing. Elli was absolutely mesmerizing to watch. She's truly a very talented and beautiful actress, and she portrayed the part perfectly I thought. I really didn't want to see her die, and especially not at the hands of Ruby and the other models, even as her vanity took over and transformed her. I also felt that the canabalism part just went too over the top and kind of cheapened the rest of the film. If not for that, I think the movie would have been much better.

[@maybewise]

+CallMeEuphoria They would've killed her anyway. So her narcissism was irrelevant. We all have some level of narcissism. And being in the film/entertainment industry, usually means that yours is higher than most. Her narcissism didn't alarm me. So no, it didn't effect how disappointed I was that she'd died. I wasn't really sad, but disappointed. Because it's like.... "Come on, bitch!... You just said that you were dangerous, a second ago!". I just wish that that side of her would've REALLY manifested, before she got killed. But maybe it manifested in her death, when Bella Heathcote's character got paranoid, and sick, and threw up her eyeball, and killed herself. Or maybe that just showed her character's trait, of being the one with the conscience. And the guilt just ate at her (ironically).

[@maybewise]

+NATRON In interviews, Refn's complained about how some of his vision couldn't be FULLY carried out, because of budget constraints. I think that he would've done something as elaborate as you described, if that wasn't a problem. I didn't mind, because I have an active imagination, and made up reasons why some things were missing, that might just be due to budget. Like not having Jesse go to the hospital, even when she passes out in front of her adoring boyfriend, and not calling the cops, when she hears someone get attacked next door. I summed it up as Refn making a world of predator and prey, minus the prey's usual protectors (:parents, police, and ambulance).

[@hsehovic63]

I loved the movie, and i think they would have eaten her anyways because they wanted to be as pretty and as natural as her. The way i saw it was, they ate her in order to "transfer" her beauty onto them. Does that make sense? Anyway i love NWR films because they make you think about the film days after you've seen it.

[@tangerinerose3724]

CallMeEuphoria Exactly Bosnian Dragon - they wanted her essence...and it worked for the one washed up model who ate the regurgitated eyeball..😣

[@frogding8882]

I felt like there was also a lot of 3's throughout the film, 3 times we see animals, 3 times we see people bending backwards, we see 3 elle fannings in the mirror. I believe this symbolizes the 3 women

[@robotzombie9194]

and the three stages of personality

[@WhiteBloggerBlackSpecs]

Illuminati confirmed

[@KMReviews]

I love Ryan Gosling as an interviewer haha. He should have his own show lol. Great rundown of this movie incorporating the interviews. I saw this and never got around to reviewing it. Even though I'm not a fan of the movie I can still support it because I like that he at least makes original stuff. I just don't like movies where I need it broke down. I wanna be able to figure it out on my own. He made an interesting movie at least.

[@KMReviews]

Danijels222 or maybe reviewing movies is a hobby and I can do them whether or not you think they are for me. No movie reviewer reviews everything.

[@JusteenWheatley]

Ryan Gosling is an awesome interviewer - he entirely cuts to the chase and skips out on all the crap. He's great hahaha

[@culturefan]

I wondered if the scene where Jesse is getting painted gold is in reference to him foreseeing an Oscar in his future.

[@mayagold10]

William Wright haha in his dreams

[@TXchadTX]

This guy tries too hard to think. If "the reaction" is the only thing that matters then you're just making "shock value" films. It doesn't take talent to shock people.

[@meg-k-waldren]

Very true. He keeps going like this he'll be stale soon enough. Plus, when you're just simply putting out shock material the movie has no re-watchability value.

[@dennyfader7559]

Why is shock the only reaction that you guys are talking about? He is more-so saying how he believes art needs to elicit an emotional response. If you leave the theater with indifferent emotions, the art is considered a failure.

[@TXchadTX]

+Denny Fader because if your only basis for artistic success is getting the biggest reaction then you're not an artist. An artist expresses himself regardless of how the audience reacts. He is pandering to shock value reactions. All he's doing is crossing the line as much as possible. At some point you have to draw a line. This is why people today are nuts. Everything is seen as acceptable.

[@dennyfader7559]

In my opinion, an artists creates to convey a message. If a filmmaker just wants to "express" himself, why bother releasing your work to the public? Just express yourself and be done with it. Stick it in the attic. However, if you choose to display your art, you're looking for a reaction to it. You're looking to get your message across and have people be emotionally affected by it. If you don't agree with his techniques of doing so, that's a matter of opinion and is totally fine, but to say that he's not an artist because he likes to elicit reactions is absurd, as that's what every artist is trying to do.

[@TXchadTX]

He's an artist, sure. He is clearly a talented filmmaker. He should let that shine on it's own without intentionally picking disgusting topics to grab attention. Art is the imitation of life. There's nothing about life that is represented by Necrophilia. What message is he sending with a girl humping and eating a dead body?

[@nekoloverforlife1748]

Had the urge to stop watching when he mentioned spitting in her mouth.

[@sidolanters]

It actually makes a lot of sense. I'd have the same idea if I'd have sex with a dead person. I mean, there's no saliva, they're dead, so their mouths are dry; you have to create some kind of lubricant otherwise it doesn't work. It's common sense.

[@robotzombie9194]

+Sido Lanters youre fucked

[@elisawatson8817]

+Robot Zombie I agree

[@sidolanters]

Yeah, but still.

[@PrinzeDemagio]

on contrary the spitting is what made me look back at the screen lol

[@gabriellaschmitt4487]

I love that because he works in Hollywood, he’s artistic. Because u KNOW, if that guy were speaking THAT way about ANYTHING, and he worked in a cubicle answering phones all day, he’d be on SO many watch lists he wouldn’t be able to make it to the grocery store without being followed

[@maybewise]

I see it as a world of predator + prey - protectors. Usually our protectors are our parents, police, and medics. But Jesse doesn't have parents, and doesn't encounter anybody who is a parent. And when her hand's seriously cut, instead of going to the hospital, she tries to fix it herself. Even when she passes out, and further bleeds, in front of her boyfriend, HE doesn't call for an ambulance, and instead waits for her to wake up. Also, when someone tries to break in, and she subsequently hears a girl next door get attacked, she doesn't call the cops. And nobody seems to investigate, or care about Jesse's disappearance. A bigger part of me really thinks that they just couldn't afford it (Refn said that they couldn't even afford for that scene where Jesse kisses her own reflection, to be underwater). But even unintended, I find it to be an interesting aspect of the movie.

[@wintergirll]

Also: the blue is meant to represent narcissus from Greek mythology

[@robotzombie9194]

really?

[@wintergirll]

+Robot Zombie there's an interview with the cinematographer on the subject. I'll try and find it.

[@wintergirll]

Code 19 will do, apologies I'm so forgetful

[@wintergirll]

www.theguardian.com/global/2016/jul/04/inside-the-weird-world-of-the-neon-demon here we are

[@skatemetrix]

I think Nicolas Winding Refn is going to end up in an institute. That man is disturbed in the mind, or it's all one big act to garner publicity and maximum shock value.

[@skatemetrix]

Listen to his interviews as he explains his creative process. I hope to God that isn't his thought process! Watch the Ryan Gosling interviews Neon Demon writer/director Nicolas Winding Refn. Refn says some mad stuff!

[@DasKonor]

This is excellent. I really like your comparison of the story told in The Neon Demon to Refn's own career arc. He's definitely demonstrating some kind of artistic self-awareness with the line "Beauty isn't everything - it's the only thing." It's like he's admitting to us that when removed of surface elements like the awesome editing, unique visual tone and beautiful music, the movie Drive would be stupid mob heist movie complete with a romance that had no chemistry.

[@daniel_ejs]

It's definitively an experience, the scene of the photoshoot with the photographer really made me feel uncomfortable, in danger

[@meg-k-waldren]

The issue I have with this movie and Nick its director, is that the movie--weird as may be--is about the competitive world of beauty (and narcissism) and yet we don't see diversity. That says lots about how the director defines beautiful. .... And now that I've completed watching this video and hearing the snippets of Refn: "I am from the future...?" He may be a few cans short of a six-pack.

[@kuddenchristo]

Your clothes. Give them to me. Now.

[@RobLopster]

I noticed that too when I watched the film. But even now, you'll see very few POC on the runway or in editorials. I felt the lack of diversity in the film was to exploit the truths of the fashion world. Even though some designers are feeling the pressure to hire POC, many others maintain the status quo of having an all white runway cast. The lack of POC in the film was more of a deliberate commentary on the fashion world, and how it refuses to change its idea of what beauty is.

[@abeldnite]

I think the lack of diversity was the best and most realistic part. I'm half white half latino, and I've noticed that even in latin american countries many girls want to look like the protagonist of this movie. And I'm pretty sure that they would consider her more beautiful than a black or asian woman.

[@theunpossiblefile]

I saw the trailer for "Sully." Whoops, no diversity. Whether the actual movie is diverse or not what's the next formulaic question, 'does Tom Hanks or the director have a problem with black or latino actors?'

[@meg-k-waldren]

theunpossiblefile you are comparing apples to oranges. how about you watch the movie Sully and see if there is no diversity in the plane passengers in the movie? then talk.

[@TheStonesQT93]

Ryan Gosling just made my day.

[@Xandypn]

The director's voice plus the soundtrack just Takes me places. I want to listen to it over and over again.

[@LurkerBae]

Okay so u replayed the creepy director rambling. this is NOT an ending explained. nice try

[@TheAtZShow]

You seem to have missed a majority of the video. What else did you need explained?

[@swanikarl]

agreed

[@animegirl2000]

The AtZ Show listening to the director talk was boring. I would've just preferred an explanation and not having to sit through the creepy ramblings of a nut in between

[@JohnGeorgeHill]

Refn spoke at the screening I saw. He seemed to be willing to listen to his muse and change things when the opportunity arose. I think the whole process was very fluid. Visually he is stunning.

[@yunase]

The movie draws its attention on many references. Mainly about the theme of eternal youth (with obvious references to Elizabeth Bathory, a noble who bathed in murdered virgins blood to remain young) and corruption (how to turn something right into something "wrong" in the moral and ethic sense). This can easily be seen as Jesse is literally eaten / possessed by her 3 antagonists who envy her, and how from an innocent girl, she give up her own self, and begin to live the way L.A wants her to behave. As a predator, either to "eat or be eaten" in order to survive the hostile environment. The eye reference might be directly linked to the occult aspect (the idea that there are invisible force or contract you must make with the devil/world's ruler in order to achieve and respect a certain order). It is implied Ruby is not a stranger to these dark practices (her tatoo, letting her menstrual blood flow out on full moon as a ritual practice, but also digesting Jesse to gain her charisma and beauty, which surgery and make up will never be able to achieve). But also the fact Jesse became a sacrifice which must be consumed in order to inherit her abilities to draw attention. Jesse's regurgitated eyeball, but also the moon reference, which points out to an omniscient "god" or "entity" to worship, which allows these things to happen. It's basically the idea the city as a no man's land, which serves no good or evil, and that only a greater prevails on all other needs (which in the case is the "beauty" at any cost, even if it means to murder someone).

[@ianleex6874]

Pretty impressive analysis man. Usually people try to go a little too artsy and get carried away grasping at anything however but you broke it down from a very interesting perspective.

[@michaeladams762]

The director seems really creepy, but the movie seems fantastic

[@sofiamatos8297]

The director made me sick. I'm sure that was the intention, but damn.

[@SunBunz]

Sofia Matos I agree. The way he talks makes my skin crawl, honestly. Like he admits that he’s satisfying his own personal fetishes in his work. That hits too many red flags, and goes from “art” to perversion, imo.

[@ECMoPo]

@@SunBunz I TOTALLY AGREE! I’m glad I’m not the only one. He genuinely gives me bad vibes...

[@wnepper]

Just watched ND just so I could finally come back and watch THIS video. Great analysis as always.

[@TheAtZShow]

Thanks Will!

[@rosekeyes3189]

I'm surprised not many people are talking about the whole, "Body of Christ." As in the purity of the innocent and 'pure' Elle having what those others want. You eat and drink the body of Christ. If Christ is a symbol, eating the body to gain the soul does work, until they choke and throw her up.

[@underratedcritic1983]

Coincidentally, Ryan Gosling's voice doesn't match his appearance.

[@Evelyn-bs9is]

what's the first craziest act of necrophilia of all time?

[@sashakei5862]

Evelyn urena I think he means the one from "a serbian film".

[@ihavecloudenvy]

Evelyn urena check out Necromantic

[@thomas481995]

I thought he was talking about the one in "Visitor Q".

[@1977Suspiria]

kyle balser I highly doubt he's checked out Necromantik. The most fucked up I've seen is probably the sex with the dead child in the bathtub scene in August Underground's Mordum.

[@Evelyn-bs9is]

***** That sounds pretty bad

[@kameronbasseri1953]

This review was VERY on point I think and going deep into the reasons why this movie is so unique and thought provoking. Thank you for doing this!

[@rhythmoriented]

Nice video, AtZ. I loved the symbolism, but haven't heard a whole lot from analysts on the color choices. I jotted these palette notes after seeing it a second time a couple months ago. Refn's impairment of color vision was somewhat of mystery until I learned that Jena Malone and others influenced the changes from the original script. Here goes: 1. The demonic RED, as you note, the dominant color. I think that Ruby (noting the name) had some article of red clothing in every scene until she was literally bathing in it; this was then followed by black, then pink/green. Flashing red lights during the stage demonstration as ‘Demon Dance’ was playing may have represented a warning, and Jesse saw herself in the red triangles during the pivotal and hypnotic runway scene. 2. Blue in this film represents narcissism in this film, as confirmed by Refn. This relates Narcissus, of Greek mythology, along with artistic and botanical color representation. We see significant shifting between blue and red in phases many times throughout. I think the most poignant (and beautiful) use of blue was in the final scene. Sarah, previously seen as "beige" and rejected in the test scene (see the below beige reference), had just “eaten the competition.” She tried to hide her confidence as Jack asked for her to replace the other model in the poolside (also blue) shoot. It was at this time her eyes were incredibly blue, accentuated by a blue curtain in the background. As Gigi became sick, she entered a blue-tinted area, vomited the eyeball (the iris of which was blue), which was consumed by Sarah. 3. WHITE was the dominant color in the early and brief scene in which Jesse is walking in the corridor of Roberta Hoffman’s modeling agency. She was still pure at that time, only to subsequently relinquish to conformity (albeit temporarily)….. 4. BEIGE: the non-descript color of ‘undifferentiation’ was used as the mannequin-like models awaited their opportunity to separate themselves from the others in front of the judges. 5. GOLD, associated in both Eastern and Western culture with perfection, is the paint color that Jack chose after gazing at Jesse. It was at this point that Jesse was starting to buy into the hype about her beauty; note how confident she was in the latter parts of that initially uneasy scene, which continued as she spoke with Ruby in the next scene (contrasting with Ruby’s obvious unease with the girl’s self-sufficiency). 6. GREEN is a color of serenity, used heavily for the first time with Ruby in the garden, likely representing the first time that she is at peace. [Note also that Ruby's prone position on the grave was consistent with Jesse's life force (4th Chakra in the Hindu religion, with dominant colors of green and the below pink)]. There previously were hints of green in the flowers given to Jesse by Dean - noting that she had discarded them earlier in casual act of hubris. 7. PINK was also prominently shown in the rose garden , noting Ruby’s perception of transference of Jesse’s virginal beauty. It had earlier been used in dirtier (or a more salmony) pink on the motel walls - noting the clashing of Jesse’s naivete and the grittiness of her environment. When she witnessed the horrific occurrence in the next room, the pink area became encircled by a much darker force... 8. BLACK, and shrunk down (in the hotel room scene) as her innocence was disappearing. Note that black was used again encircling Ruby’s nipples in the bath and the garden scene. 9. And finally, YELLOW was not used to the best of my recollection in the entire film. This bright (obviously sunny) framing is too optimistic for any of the characters involved. Thanks again for YOUR analysis, AtZ.

[@darkknightfanboy3185]

I freaking LOVE this film! The music is just fantastic. I know you didn't really like this film AtZ, but what else in theaters this year took chances like this, gave us something beautiful, dark and different. This film stuck with me, unlike most films this year. The crap being pumped out in theaters this year, is just discouraging!

[@TheAtZShow]

What is your favorite Refn film?

[@wintergirll]

Think it might actually be this one.

[@musicphilosopher6609]

i believe also it could be this movie . it's so profoundly intriguing & strikingly beautiful ! it's so unconventionally made and so against the grain of your typical movie . i love directors when they do just want they want . Pull no punches !

[@jayfolk]

only God forgives

[@MaximumJonathan]

i like most of his films drive,only god forgives and this. But my favorite film from him is Bronson

[@TennysonsMariana]

valhalla rising. i never saw him interviewed before. creepy and yet a success.

[@ginob615]

This review is so much better then the others. Good job!

[@brandonfrey8369]

Decent explanation for sure. Nicholas has risen to become one of my favorite directors because of this film. This film is the beginning of a new era of cinematography.

[@Humanechoes]

Seriously fantastic work. Been getting ready to review this one and you noticed so many details. It helped to clarify my thoughts and really put a few things in context. You are damn good at this.

[@hristinabareva4207]

this is the best explanation video on this film! thank you!

[@Fullmetal1890P]

I seriously did not know what to think after watching this movie. It was visually gorgeous, but it was also very awkward and uncomfortable to watch with how long the moments of silence lasted between shots. When you finally get some action, it's really bizarre, then when the story starts to pick up she gets eaten and then that's the end. Like, I kept just asking myself, why did I watch that? I suppose there's a lot of artistry that went into making it, sure, but in terms of a storytelling experience, it was really dumb.

[@littleblizzard7591]

Fullmetal1890P Agreed. Take out the morgue scene and the period blood all over the floor in the moonlight scene and it would be better.

[@desireekallenberg3235]

i usually love these types of movies- Midsommar, Climax being great examples. But this? I totally agree with you. Espc now after watching interviews with the director, i kind of feel like this movie became more about him than the actually movie...

[@joaofiorot8975]

You put the facts in such an interesting perspective. It really personalized the interpretation of the film towards Refn's figure. I found it awesome! Congrats.

[@TheAtZShow]

Thanks!

[@4000Wiggins]

Fantastic analysis. Thanks for this

[@Pandabearmadness]

great video earned my sub

[@carocampa5269]

I don't know if you're going to see this, but it's 1 am, I have classes in the morning and this video is helping me sooooo much with my homework, thank you! ❤

[@TheAtZShow]

Glad I could help!

[@efranchowdhury9716]

Watch The Neon Demon оnline in hd qualitу herе => twitter.com/f981af31a16f43cb0/status/781149426781794308 The Neon Dеmon Ending EEEхplained

[@justinvanderwater102]

Caro Campa you had homework on this movie??

[@carocampa5269]

Yes, I'm in an art school, I guess that's my best explanation for why it was my homework 😂

[@MissVictoriaBeatrix]

Caro Campa wow, lucky you for being given such interesting tasks!

[@122334455v]

love your channel

[@TheGreenerItGets]

*smears sacrificial blood on face* AAAAAAAAAART

[@mundicox8951]

5:40 I'm pretty sure it was a mountain lion, not a leopard.

[@jayfolk]

refns got the softest hands apparently, like wearing gloves filled vasalin all night. that's serial killer levels of control

[@spookypuppydemon8404]

"Beauty will take the future," weeell fuck me.. I thought the nerds were suppose to inherit the earth!

[@byronvisiado09]

loved this movie! my friend and I had a couple hour long conversation analyzing it

[@danielvmay]

Great vid!

[@cheshirec6244]

Both Mulholland drive and Neon Deamon are Spirit-cooking ..pizza -gate..

[@octoberforeverfilms]

Great work!

[@neonpitchforks]

“The essence of creativity , is to react.” Great stuff

[@miwilko]

Great final analysis!

[@gregcarter18]

Excellent video! My favorite Refn film is Bronson. :)

[@pofkeltlt]

Told Film Herald it would be interesting, to see his take on the neon demon, he responded by saying, he could not put it in a better way, then you did. Great analysis :)

[@horizon92lee]

Good analysis, that line are you food or sex was good foreshadowing

[@GatosdeLaNada]

great editing!

[@dainadossantos2465]

The neon Demon is the familiar spirit possesing Refn, which inspires his work.

[@andrewkawam2603]

1:38 Based on other interview, I think what he meant was that he was intellectually curious about what it would be like to grow up in a society where you have a burden based on who you can't help being but that you don't necessarily entirely want or understand the full implications of even though you hear everyone else saying how you should do so.

[@mkyalva]

Eating yogurt while watching this was a bad idea

[@jakehorsburgh2878]

Mirrors were featured so heavily in this movie, some shots were really cool especially one in the bathroom at the party were one of the models is positioned between Jena Malone and Elle via a mirror

[@simon629DK]

Great job!

[@simonandpoppyreview8023]

This is a great review. I was not keen on the film but may now give it another watch.

[@leikinoleg]

excellent review

[@pelegirl5284]

"I'm sorry? What's the point of the story?" Exactly. Man is it so cringey watching a grown man trying so desperately to be controversial. And it sucks when they've made some great movies too.

[@captcrais101]

Breakdown Captain Fantastic.

[@treiber671988]

This was fantastic.

[@xsomili5501]

I hated that scene where Ruby made out with that dead woman -.- i just-

[@cherrypop4756]

I was not ready for that Game of Thrones clip. 😂 I can't stop watching it.

[@savybabe3569]

The Spirit of Tae Monster's SugaKookie same

[@0raaz]

where can I find the snow white and the seven dwarves ? u placed the poster along w the perfume movie poster. can u let me know pls thanks

[@BIGTENFanatic]

Great analysis!

[@scarletradiopodcast]

You hammered the nail at 5:50

[@RandMiller325]

Also I know that its a few years old now, but I would love to see you do a breakdown of Denis Villeneuve's Enemy (with Jake Gylenhaal), plus it's now an older but a goody "Mulholland Drive" (or Lost Highway, etc.) Just thought -- especially because I watched your "creepiest movies" video and I think you could grab even just a couple or most off that list could be awesomely picked apart. Von Trier, Noe (Enter The Void or Irreversible specifically)

[@liraven7676]

Creativity is a hell of a lot more than just reactions..maybe if you are 4 years old..but with any sort of experience you know that theres also responsibility. Shock value isnt anything but that, and gets old without real intention, no matter how much you glitz it up

[@veganmikey1]

Refn is a true genius. I admire his honesty and creativity a great deal. I understand that he is easy to make fun of when he’s being vulnerable and expressing his art in such a...way that is easily perceived as pompous. But he really is putting himself out there. There is beauty in his vulnerability.

[@BenRangel]

The problem with this film, is that while you may react, it's often more in a way like "Oh, that's weird" ALL the time. By making stuff so weird and stylized, that grabs all the focus and loses out on some of the reactions he's going for.

[@TJ68LA]

How come no one mentions the swastika 70's geometric wallpaper in the bathroom? That was one of the best OMG Refn has gigantic balls moments in the movie to me.

[@wystellia]

The movie is indeed so pretty, I am tempted to watch it again, even though it left me feeling a bit unsettled. And I really liked this video for giving me a bit more an in depth look at the movie and stuff, so thank you ^^

[@amateurwizard7002]

Loving the outro. Drive put me onto Kavinsky, Nightcall is my jam

[@chrissiec5541]

loved the Aerys cameo 🔥👑🔥

[@cjjohnston1633]

Bravo, thank you for putting this all together. ND was a interesting movie and a bit confusing at the end.

[@nGUNNARp]

the only thing more disturbing than the morgue scene is listening to refn talk about him directing malone to do it...guy creeps me out

[@taylorzamora7426]

This is what the Creative Song by Don't Hug Me I'm Scared was talking about. literally.

[@andreias5564]

After watching this movie i am a different person. It really sticked with me, about what is being beautiful - beauty isn't everything, it's the only thing - and if you are only a beautiful empty shell you end up ruined. So Ego grows when a child looks at the mirror for the first time - but true beauty is when you mirror yourself into others. It really got me thinking, that, you are only true beautiful for the ones you love.

[@beavispdx]

Loved the film, and your video was a nice addendum to it -- thanks for posting. I think Refn is brilliant and is spot on about what the future will be like. A scary prospect.

[@litchie5836]

Interesting director, but oh my god, the way he talked made me want to crawl out of my skin it was so creepy

[@wnepper]

... and this wins my most-hoped-for blu-ray director's commentary award.

[@kennethlao8297]

I actually like the film I feel like the director has such strong vision of the film love the movie title too

[@SnarkierThan-U-R]

Liked The Neon Demon, very stylishly filmed

[@Luverr111]

I love this movie so much. The art, the color, the music , the gore. Awesome

[@aeromundos]

The film is a visual feast , the score is amazing and a film resonates when his director shares something of his/her self with the audience , like Kevin Smith's Chasing Amy in 1997. NWR's films take you places cinema should take you , that is why he is already an artist and not only another film director.

[@RaquelWells]

Refn has such a unique mindset, I love it