Bret easton ellis
The theme is very much along the lines of his works. I wonder what he thought about the movie
shareI agree and also thought it was very "Bret-esque." Most all the characters are unlikable, the worship of self/$/materialism /ect, sex and so on..,A lot of Ellis themes. I wonder of NWR is a fan and was partially inspired by Ellis' work, as he clearly was with Kubrick's?
As far as what Ellis thinks of the movie if he saw it (which I bet he did..), well there's no telling with Bret. Some other films out there even Moreso Blatently are inspired by his work and he typically dislikes/hates it for some reason. Like the Gregg Araki film "Nowhere," which has Very similar themes and even pays direct homage to Bret by having characters qoute a couple lines from his book "Less Than Zero." I realize Araki's Style is definitely not for everyone, but Bret has went on record stating he Hates the film. I love both artists' work, and get if Bret just didn't like the film/it's styld/ect; but come on Araki clearly Loves his work and is paying homage to your art. I don't get why he hates that and isn't just flattered? :/
The other most infamous example is the comedy "Zoolander," which Bret not only has stated he loathes, but says the creators Stole his ideas from his novel "Glamorama." (the novel that Probably inspired "The Neon Demon" the most..) And I understand that Zoolander and Glamorama have Very similar and even some Same themes. (super vain/brainwahsed models working as assassins/ect..) But come on Zoolander is an absurdist style comedy that mainstream audiences are meant to understand and laugh at. Glamorama, like pretty much all of Ellis' work, is Much more Deeply Cynical, the humor at times so dark you could call it somewhat Nihilistic. Definitely NOT a silly comedy like Zoolander, and not realy something Most Mainstream readers will even "get" or enjoy. I personally love Ellis' novels; he's actually my favorite post-modern author. But that's just my taste and opinion. I also love the 1st Zoolander (my tastes in art are realy diverse..), and I can see how it was Clearly heavily inspired by Glamorama. But like I said Zoolander is an Absurdist Style comedy film that in my Opinion is still a Totally different Story/Plot than Glamorama's far deeper, dark cynical, and just Different plot. Yet Bret has publicly Bashed Zoolander and claims the creators flat out Stole his idea. I just disagree, as Much as I love Ellis' work; far more than Zoolander. I think the creators just once again Loved Bret's work, and made a Total Comedy film based on many of Glamorama's Themes and yes Part of the story; but they're Drasticly different things.
I don't understand why a lot of the time an artist references Bret's work he seems to hate it. ?? I personally would be flattered, even if I didn't enjoy the other artist's work. But hey, I'm not him, so that's his opinion. There's a lot of other artists who I can tell were largly (Harmony Korine's work; noteably "Spring Breakers.") or minorly ("Dexter") influenced by, or reference Bret; and I'd add Refn's The Neon Demon for sure. But as far as those two film's I have Heard/read Bret's opinion on, it seems as if he doesn't like having homage payed to him. No idea Why; but it's his right of course.
So Bret Easton Ellis either hated The Neon Demon or loved it, is my opinion. I personally Love All the movies/novels/art I mentioned here. And The Neon Demon is my pick for top film of 2016!!
-deadpopstar