Climax

Disorienting, frenetic, chaotic, wild, and just flat-out WEIRD. These words and their synonyms can be used to describe this entry by Director Gasper Noe. Known for experimental films on unusual subject matter (His 2009 film Enter the Void is a neon drenched descent into the mystery of death) in this one Noe ramps up the energy to bring a film unlike any other into the world. What starts out as a grand rehearsal for a dance troupe descends into madness with the unknown dosing of LCD into the dancers drinks. Like a Dionysian ritual the dancing and drinking ranges from highest ecstasy to the darkest depths of the human mind. In the lead is Selva (Sofia Boutella) and we follow her journey from aspiring dancer to desperate survivor as she navigates the terror and confusion of the group.

Similar to Coherence this film was shot with no real script and only a handful of notes on the characters and where the story “could” go. With no real lines written, Noe entrusted the dancers turned actors to bring the story to life, and their conversations, as well as their fear, feel as organic as if it were actually happening (Apparently the film is based off a French dance troupe having their drinks spiked with LCD at an after party, although the wickedness that occurs in this film is nowhere near what actually happened there). By allowing the actors to take their characters and interactions in whichever direction they want, the twist and turns of the story come to life in just as an impressive way as the real twist and turns of the talented dance moves that take place. The experience of watching Climax is akin to having a hallucination without ingesting any drugs, an impressive feat and a testament to Noe’s creative ability. If you’re looking for something completely outside the box of the normal viewing experience, this film is for you.

Directed By: Gasper Noe

Starring: Sofia Buotella, Kiddy Smile

Runtime: 97 minutes Year Released: 2018