The pressures of being a starlet in Hollywood is something that “The Neon Demon” star Elle Fanning (“Maleficent”) probably knows all too well. Now her experiences, and the experiences of many other young actresses, models and pop stars have been heightened to a frenzied, stylized horror drama directed by Nicolas Winding Refn (“Drive”).
Fanning stars as a young, aspiring model named Jesse who is on the hunt for her big break. Things seem to turn dark when Jesse’s success is threatened by the other models on the scene, who in turn feel threatened by her achievements. It’s like high school all over again! But with Keanu Reeves, neon colors and a knife-wielding Fanning, of course. Sounds like dark and twisted “Mean Girls.” And who doesn’t love “Mean Girls”?
Christina Hendricks (“Mad Men”) co-stars as what seems like a recruiter or manager of some type. Her assessment of Fanning’s character echoes the troubling reality of the Hollywood machine. “I see 20–30 girls come in here everyday, from small towns, with big dreams — some girls crack under the pressure. You, you’re going to be great,” she says.
The film will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival next month and will hit theaters in June. Watch the trailer below:
