The trailer for Nicolas Winding Refn’s horror film The Neon Demon dropped online today, featuring appropriate amounts of sex, violence, and colorful lighting. The film follows an aspiring model played by Elle Fanning who comes to Los Angeles to pursue her career, as aspiring models are prone to do. Fanning’s character falls in with the wrong crowd, but these women aren’t simply mooching rent money and dinner at Mr. Chow’s. They’re looking to quite literally steal the young model’s youth.
The film was described by composer—and frequent Refn collaborator—Cliff Martinez as Valley Of The Dolls meets The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. And where Refn cribbed from Michael Mann for Drive with its neon noir notes, synth-heavy soundtrack, and extreme lighting, The Neon Demon comes across as Dario Argento via Paul Schrader, combining a Suspiria-esque tale with ample amounts of sleaze. (Vampire fans will see elements of Tony Scott’s The Hunger in the trailer as well.) Refn is heavily influenced by exploitation films of the ‘70s, so while the film’s description implies a slow burn, the payoff will more than likely be equal parts scary, violent, and gory—and, at the same time, a love story.
The Neon Demon also stars Christina Hendricks, Keanu Reeves, and Jena Malone. The film is slated for release sometime later this year.