Emmys 2020: The Great and 5 incredible Elle Fanning performances you probably missed

4. Jesse in The Neon Demon

The Neon Demon is one of the most controversial entries on this list as the Nicolas Winding Refn horror film received incredibly mixed reactions from audiences and critics. Many hated the film, and it’s not hard to see why considering how many genuinely disturbing, depraved, and grotesque scenes are present in it.

There is also a nasty misogynistic undercurrent throughout that cannot be denied. Yet, all that said, I still really like this movie. I feel wrong for saying it but there’s something so haunting and weird about it. I don’t love every plot point or scene, there are moments that were obviously inserted for shock value and little else, but it really does have a unique flair of horror in it that I haven’t seen in other films.

I love the neon color palette and the pounding synth music. Most of all, I loved Elle’s performance, especially as this movie was a real leap for her. She leads the cast and is forced into some uncomfortable situations as her naive character Jesse gets increasingly entangled in the dark world of modeling.

3. Cleo in Somewhere

Even though Somewhere was directed by Sofia Coppola, who is a popular director, and it’s a film considered to be Elle’s big breakout role, there are a lot of people who haven’t seen it. Unless you’re really entrenched in movie culture, there is a good chance you haven’t gotten around to Somewhere, which is a shame since it is a real gem of a film.

Elle is incredibly charming as young Cleo. It also helped that she and co-star Stephen Dorf spent time together before filming began, which really contributed to their excellent on-screen chemistry as father and daughter.