Climax

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2:05

Climax

R

Released Mar 1, 2019

1h 35m

Drama

Music

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

69%

Tomatometer

185 Reviews

65%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

When members of a dance troupe are lured to an empty school, drug-laced sangria causes their jubilant rehearsal to descend into a dark and explosive nightmare as they try to survive the night -- and find out who's responsible -- before it's too late.

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Critics Consensus

Challenging and rewarding in equal measure, Climax captures writer-director Gaspar Noé working near his technically brilliant and visually distinctive peak.

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Ben Sachs

Chicago Reader

Regardless the various attempts at shock value (with scenes involving self-mutilation and abortion) seem downright desperate.

Mar 16, 2020

Full Review

Ben Croll

TheWrap

Just like Possession, this tale of stylized hysteria is an absolute scream.

Feb 12, 2020

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Michael Koresky

Film Comment Magazine

In the latest goofy provocation from a director who never saw a space-dank dungeon or sunny bedroom-upon which he couldn't unleash a swirly-twirly camera, Noé puts a pansexual, multicultural dance troupe through its paces before sending them to hell.

Mar 21, 2019

Full Review

Bianca Garner

Filmotomy

There is so much potential here, and it's so frustrating that Noé didn't go even further. Apparently, Climax was shot with only a 5 page long script and it shows.

Oct 11, 2024

Full Review

D.M. Palmer

Vague Visages

The film documents the dissipation of idealism and the gradual slide into self-annihilation...

Nov 9, 2023

Full Review

Trace Thurman

Horror Queers Podcast

Less a film and more an experience (an anxiety-inducing one, at that), Climax is a fascinating and stressful watch.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 8, 2022

Full Review

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Dallas H

I believe Gaspar Noé has a directorial knack for pushing function and technique over storytelling. He likes long-winded, uncut takes with a roving camera. He likes to utilize production tools and tricks to create an environment that will feel familiar to the viewer yet also harsh at the same time. I didn't care for this movie. Caring about or connecting with any characters was difficult as the movie felt too cold and distant. I felt sympathy for the demise of a few of them. But no signs of feeling any empathy.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/04/25

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David F

Amazing dancing at the start but it goes downhill from there. I’m a big fan of both LSD and avante-garde films, but I just wish there was more going on here than people acting like they are freaking out scene after scene.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

11/04/24

Full Review

David R

Only Gaspar Noe can create like this. A horrible story portrayed in cinematic expertise.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/03/24

Full Review

Sarah D

A waking nightmare. Sweaty, scary, paranoid hysteria. Love the dancer concept.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/11/24

Full Review

rob d

It feels like what would happen if Larry Clark moved to France and watched too much Godard. I’m pretty convinced that no one involved in this film has ever done LSD. Lots of hot people acting ratchet and moaning for duration of film. I would like to meet the director so I could put on a tube top, writhe around and scream in his face.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

07/07/24

Full Review

Prabudhjeet A

There should be supervision for everything in the world. A good first act. But it ends with the movie.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

06/22/24

Full Review

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Gaspar Noé

Director

Sofia Boutella

Selva

Romain Guillermic

David

Souheila Yacoub

Lou

Kiddy Smile

Daddy

Claude Gajan Maull

Emmanuelle

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Climax: Trailer 1

2:05

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Synopsis

When members of a dance troupe are lured to an empty school, drug-laced sangria causes their jubilant rehearsal to descend into a dark and explosive nightmare as they try to survive the night -- and find out who's responsible -- before it's too late.

Director: Gaspar Noé
Producer: Edouard Weil, Vincent Maraval, Brahim Chioua, Richard Grandpierre
Screenwriter: Gaspar Noé
Distributor: A24
Production Co: arte France Cinéma, Eskwad, Wild Bunch, Les Cinémas de la Zone, Rectangle Productions, KNM
Rating: R (Disturbing Content|A Combination of Drug Use|Violent Behavior|Language|Some Graphic Nudity|Strong Sexuality)
Genre: Drama, Music, Horror
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 1, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 7, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $813.8K
Runtime: 1h 35m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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