Today, we learned that Nicolas Winding Refn’s The Neon Demon would be in contention at Cannes. Perfect timing, then, that the trailer for the film, which is his first since Only God Forgives bombed at Cannes in 2013, was just released. And man, is it a doozy.
The Neon Demon sees the Drive director bringing his ’80s-soaked vision to the high-stakes and high-glamor world of high-fashion modeling. Elle Fanning stars as Jesse, a young up-and-coming model who seems to turn into something of a terror, a change which, according to the film’s vague synopsis, might be in response to intimidation from other models who are envious of her youth and beauty. Abby Lee, a real-life model and actress (she appeared in Mad Max: Fury Road and a short film directed by Sean Baker, Snowbird), plays Sarah, Jesse’s friend, confidant, and eventual target. Christina Hendricks, who has now appeared in two of Refn’s films, plays Jan, an advisor to Jesse.
Keanu Reeves and Jena Malone also have major roles, but are nowhere to be found in the suspenseful clip. Amazon Studios acquired distribution rights late last year, but there’s no release date. That’ll probably change after Cannes, if not before.
Watch the trailer below.