THE NEON DEMON (18)

Director: Nicolas Winding Refn

Starring: Elle Fanning, Jena Malone, Keanu Reeves, Desmond Harrington, Christina Hendricks

SOME would argue that the fashion and modelling industry is like a monster.

It feeds on insecurities about appearance, shape and size and makes people distort their bodies – and minds – in a quest for 'perfection'.

So no wonder that Nicolas Winding Refn's dark and unconventional 'horror story' about the industry is so effective and unsettling.

In what is arguably her best performance, Elle Fanning plays Jesse, a skinny, pretty 16-year-old who lies about her age to become a model at a top agency in Los Angeles.

She instantly becomes a hit but struggles to be accepted by the other jealous models due to her natural youthful beauty.

In a tale of innocence lost that warps into something darker, Jesse gets absorbed into this troubled world where cosmetic surgery is considered as much a part of grooming as cleaning your teeth and where modelling careers end at the ripe old age of 21.

Casting Fanning was a masterstroke by Danish director Refn as the 18-year-old actor is much better known for playing a youngster in the likes of We Bought A Zoo, Super 8 and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

It makes for some uncomfortable viewing as her character Jesse begins to be twisted by the corrosive influences around her.

Living up to its name, The Neon Demon is visually arresting too which is typical of Refn, best known for Drive and Only God Forgives.

The film centres on Jesse's relationship with make-up artist Ruby (Jena Malone) who takes an unhealthy interest in the model and has her own agenda.

The supporting cast, mostly playing against type, are great too with Keanu Reeves standing out as the predatory motel owner, Hank.

Refn's starting point for The Neon Demon was our obsession with beauty.

In a way, it does for modelling what The Black Swan did for ballet and it proves to be a powerful exploration of the subject – up to a point.

Towards the end it becomes gratuitous and with some horror and sex scenes designed to shock, Refn almost undermines his own story and will no doubt lose some of his audience by the end.

But Fanning's outstanding performance, the distinctive visual style and the overall tone of the film pull this through.

Welcome to Refn's beautiful nightmare.

- The Neon Demon is in cinemas on July 8. To celebrate the release, Nicolas Winding Refn will also be curating a season of his favourite films throughout July at Home in Manchester. Visit homemcr.org

RATING: 7/10

DAVID MORGAN