The Neon Demon

The story opens with Jesse, a stunning young model, enduring a photoshoot with Dean, an amateur photographer. As blood trickles down her body, Jesse hopes to secure headshots to advance her modeling career.

After the photoshoot, Jesse struggles to remove fake blood when she meets Ruby, the makeup artist who offers her help. The two bond and Ruby invites Jesse to a party that evening, highlighting Jesse's loneliness in a new city.

At the party, Jesse meets Australian models Sarah and Gigi, who are dismissive towards her. Despite their coldness, Jesse is enchanted by the event, particularly by the spectacle of a naked model performing on stage.

The next day, Jesse auditions at a modeling agency where Roberta, the interviewer, praises her beauty. Roberta advises Jesse to indicate she’s older than her actual age of 16 to ease her entry into the modeling scene.

Jesse celebrates her signing with Dean, who admits his crush on her but remains cautious about her age. Their conversation centers around Jesse's choice to misrepresent her age, as Dean encourages her to trust her instincts.

Jesse participates in a unique photoshoot with renowned photographer Jack, who seduces her with provocative directions. The photoshoot ends with Jesse covered in gold paint, producing mesmerizing images that elevate her status.

Meanwhile, Ruby meets with Gigi and Sarah, who express their growing concern over Jesse's rapid rise in the modeling industry. Ruby defends Jesse's talents, heightening the tension among the seasoned models who feel threatened.

After discovering an intruder in her motel room, Jesse confronts Hank, the nasty manager. He cruelly demands payment for damages caused by a wild cougar, illustrating the dangers Jesse faces in her environment.

At a casting call, Jesse faces hostility from Sarah, who becomes jealous when a designer hires Jesse on the spot. This leads to Sarah experiencing a breakdown as Jesse begins to thrive in the industry, raising the stakes.

During a fashion show, Jesse stands out amidst her peers and is chosen as the closing model. She experiences a surreal vision of mirrored versions of herself, reflecting her inner turmoil and the pressures of the industry.

Jesse invites Dean to an elite event where the designer harshly critiques Gigi. Following an argument, Dean leaves frustrated, and Jesse realizes that her beauty has created rifts in her relationships, further isolating her.

After a night of nightmares featuring Hank, Jesse awakens to a break-in attempt. She witnesses the assault of a young girl nearby, leading her to seek refuge with Ruby, highlighting her vulnerability.

While staying at Ruby's luxurious mansion, Jesse experiences discomfort as Ruby makes unwelcome advances. This shift in their dynamic leaves Jesse feeling isolated and confused about her new life.

Jesse tragically faces betrayal when Gigi and Sarah, feeling threatened by her success, violently assault her and push her into an empty pool. This brutal act culminates in Jesse’s death, representing the dark side of the modeling world.

Following Jesse's death, Ruby, Gigi, and Sarah embody vampiric entities as they claim her beauty for themselves. Their grotesque celebration of Jesse's demise is a chilling reminder of the insatiable hunger for youth and beauty.