THE NEON DEMON (2016)—But also, Vampires.

Cinema of Cruelty (Movies for Masochists)

Meet Jesse. She can’t read, she can’t write, and she delusionally wishes the moon would just look at her already, BUT she’s pretty. And, well, that’s all that matters, really. From the neon-fueled mind that brought us the likes of ‘Drive’ and ‘Only God Forgives,’ Nicolas Winding Refn’s ‘Demon’ takes us on an alternate, but no less perilous and candy-lit route through the stucco jungle of Los Angels’ fashion underworld, resulting in a dark macabre fairy tale about the most dangerous kind of girl. With extremely mixed reviews from both critics and casual watchers alike, the ultimate consensus is that this film is not for everyone. The celebratory themes of narcissism were hard for many to swallow, while the plot, although linear, relies heavily on abstract narration, esoteric symbols, and source materials that range from Greco-Roman Mythology to quasi-historical vampires. . . In other words, this film makes you work for it. (And it’s worth it). London and Benji deep dive in and break it all down, from cinematography to symbolism, to ultimately get at the heart of why those who are drawn to this film remain utterly enchanted by its synthetic and savage beauty.

Episode Safeword: “altruism”