The Neon Demon Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "The Neon Demon" delivers a visually compelling presentation encoded in 1080p HD, with an impeccable MPEG-4 AVC transfer. Presented in the 2.40:1 aspect ratio, this transfer showcases the film’s unique digital cinematography, predominantly achieved using the Arri Alexa XT camera equipped with specially selected anamorphic prime lenses. These lenses contribute to the film’s distinct aesthetic, generating a gently cosmetic and soft appearance to the faces, consistent with director Refn's intentional visual style. Key colors like red, blue, and violet are strikingly reproduced, highlighting the symbolic and narrative significance while maintaining excellent clarity without any chroma noise, color bleeding, or noticeable video artifacts.

Detail reproduction is outstanding, encompassing every strand of hair, make-up effect, and minute facial characteristic in both closeups and wider shots. The level of depth in the image is highly commendable, lending a pseudo-3D quality especially evident in sequences such as runway scenes and model auditions. Black levels are deep, rich, and expertly handled to create atmospheric contrast without crushing. Shadows maintain discernible detail even in dimly lit scenes. The image remains sharp throughout darker sequences without any softening, providing consistency across various lighting conditions.

Color reproduction is a triumph in this transfer. While the general palette leans towards desaturated neutral tones to suit the film's darker themes, it punctuates key scenes with vivid primaries like reds and blues that enhance the narrative’s impact. Gold tones subtly underscore scenes, and whites are presented with strong variance. The skin tones appear natural yet slightly stylized, aligning with Refn’s creative vision. This meticulous color grading facilitates a cohesive aesthetic experience that accurately mirrors the theatrical presentation. Broad Green Pictures’ attention to encoding details ensures there is no banding, aliasing, or noise, resulting in a pristine video experience for viewers.

The audio presentation of "The Neon Demon" on Blu Ray boasts a high-quality DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix, with an additional Spanish DTS 5.1 dub available. The lossless English soundtrack is expertly designed to enhance the film's thematic tone, blending dramatic elements and an eclectic music score with exceptional realism and clarity. Dialog is crystal clear, generally remaining well-positioned in the center channel. The synchronized sound effects across all channels are precise, although there is a subtle lack of separation for some non-essential sounds in the center speaker.

A prominent feature of the soundtrack is Cliff Martinez's score, which pulsates with deep bass beats, delivering a tangible dynamic impact that can make both walls and floors vibrate. The score masterfully ranges from a club-like intensity to a haunting symphony, always maintaining its presence without overshadowing sound effects or vocals. Surround sound utilization is well-implemented, with the rear speakers contributing effectively to the immersive experience through ambient background noises and directional effects such as camera flashes and footsteps.

Overall, the balance of sound elements ensures that every track—from gruesome audio cues to subtle echoes—is layered and natural, fostering a compelling and engaging auditory experience. Whether it's the low-frequency extensions from the score or the clear and natural vocal delivery, this audio mix stands out as a top-tier presentation that significantly enriches the viewing experience of "The Neon Demon."

The Blu-ray of "The Neon Demon" offers a notable collection of extras providing insightful perspectives on the film's creation. The Audio Commentary by director Nicolas Winding Refn and actress Elle Fanning is particularly engaging, with both offering in-depth analysis of the film, discussing its production intricacies, themes, and deleted scenes, despite a few minor pauses. The Behind the Soundtrack of 'The Neon Demon' featurette includes illuminating interviews with Refn and composer Cliff Martinez, shedding light on the soundtrack's conceptual underpinnings and its critical role in the film’s atmosphere, although the video quality exhibits some pixelation, likely due to an SD upconvert. Additionally, the About 'The Neon Demon' provides a brief, yet informative, glimpse into the film’s press promotional activities through a mix of trailer snippets and interview excerpts.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary featuring Nicholas Winding Refn and Elle Fanning: In-depth scene-specific discussion.
• Behind the Soundtrack of The Neon Demon: Insightful comments on the film’s music.
• About The Neon Demon: Short promo with cast interviews and film clips.

"The Neon Demon" is an audacious, visually stunning exploration of the ruthless world of fashion modeling in Los Angeles, brought to life by director Nicolas Winding Refn. The narrative follows Jesse (Elle Fanning), a young and nearly angelic model whose ethereal beauty magnetically draws the attention and envy of peers and industry insiders. Refn masterfully juxtaposes harsh realities with surreal fantasies, artfully blending the lines between the two. His meticulous use of garish neon lights and stark contrasts conjures an arresting mise-en-scène that debates style versus substance, though many argue that Refn balances them deftly here.

The thematic depth is further enriched by terse, laconic dialogue enhanced by screenwriters Mary Laws and Polly Stenham, offering a fresh feminine perspective. Alongside Cliff Martinez's hypnotic electronic score, which punctuates the film's suspenseful, dreamlike quality, each performance is carefully curated to heighten the tension and surreal ambiance. Supporting actors Jena Malone, Bella Heathcote, and Abbey Lee deliver compelling performances that accentuate Elle Fanning’s transformative journey from a naive newcomer to a fiercely ambitious model.

Refn’s direction is unabashed in its grotesque yet beautiful presentation. Elements reminiscent of Kubrick’s precise framing, Lynch’s abstract surrealism, and Argento’s vivid use of color create an immersive visual experience. Keanu Reeves’s portrayal of a sinister motel manager adds an additional dark layer to this already intense narrative, while the abstract, almost dystopian fashion show sequences hilite the intoxicating allure and danger of Jesse's path. "The Neon Demon" ultimately serves as a captivating critique of societal obsessions with beauty, delivering a narrative that is as gripping as it is visually resplendent.

Nicolas Winding Refn’s “The Neon Demon” is an uber-stylish horror film that dazzles with its updated Kubrickian visuals and an exquisite score by Cliff Martinez. The Blu-ray release by Broad Green Pictures offers a reference-quality transfer, showcasing the film's sparkling cinematography and art direction in stunning high-definition. Coupled with an uncompressed soundtrack, the viewing experience is nothing short of spectacular. Although the supplementary materials are somewhat sparse, the disc includes an insightful commentary track featuring both the director and lead actress, making it a valuable addition for fans.

The film itself is a tour de force, blending elements of horror, drama, and dark satire into a unique narrative that delves into the superficiality of the fashion model world. The performances are uniformly excellent, contributing to a compelling story that is both haunting and memorable. "The Neon Demon" stands as one of the best films in recent years, cementing Refn’s status among the greats in modern filmmaking.

While the lack of extensive bonus features may be a minor drawback, it is more than offset by the film’s inherent quality and the exceptional video and audio presentations. For those seeking a deeper dive, the upcoming release from Koch Media Film promises additional exclusive content, though it may lack English subtitles. Nonetheless, “The Neon Demon” is highly recommended for any serious film enthusiast or horror aficionado, solidifying its place as one of 2016’s standout cinematic achievements.