Climax is a 2018 horror movie about a group of professional dancers who are unexpectedly drugged on LSD while away at a retreat in 1996.
The films of director Gaspar Noe have always been polarizing. There has never been a movie he’s made that has been praised all around. This is from the same guy who had a ten minute rape scene in Irreversible and had a 3D pop shot of a sexual organ in Love. His latest movie Climax, may be the most accessible feature he has ever done, but it will still divide those who see it.
Set at this sort of resort in 1996, a group of professional dancers get together to rehearse their latest project one last time. Afterwards, they decide to all have a good time and party. However, their good times soon turn into a disaster when their sangria is spiked with LSD.
There is nothing more to the story than that. You are watching these characters devolve from being intelligent, caring human beings to these violent, primal driven animals. The results are both disturbing and confusing to watch because you have no clue of what it is they are seeing. I think it’s great the way Noe and his cinematographer Benoit Debie chose to film it this way but I can fully understand many people being upset with it. The use of the camera makes you feel like you are at this party and you’re watching this madness all around you but there is nothing you can do to control it. There are a few moments where the movie will test your patience, but I could still never take my eyes off the screen.
The moment that everyone will be discussing is the opening dance number. Filmed in just one continuous shot, it is a beautiful piece of filmmaking and one that looks incredible on the big screen. The way the dancers all did this in one take was also very cool to see. It is the moment I go back and watch on repeat, which is rare for a Noe movie, because most of the time you are trying to get certain images out of your head after watching one of his movies.
Most of the actors in this are really good despite the fact they were picked more for their dance ability than anything else. The only cast member I recognized was Sofia Boutella, who was a professional dancer before she became an actress. Most of the film’s dialog was improvised by the cast and they managed to make their characters stand out and have their own backstory as well. This is relevant in the interview segments at the very beginning. But without a main central character in this, I can fully understand many audience members becoming frustrated while watching it.
Climax isn’t a film I would recommend to everyone, and even for those that are a fan of art house films. I would still say to go into this with some caution. If the story’s premise or the trailer of this movie did very little to peak your interest, I doubt this review will sway your decision to watch it. But for those that enjoy movies that are completely different from the norm and can test their endurance level, this may be the film for you.