Climax

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Climax

R

2019

1h 35m

Drama

Music

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

68%

Tomatometer

186 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

Mar 16, 2020

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

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Ben Croll

TheWrap

Feb 12, 2020

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

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Michael Koresky

Film Comment Magazine

Mar 21, 2019

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.

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Christos Tsiolkas

The Saturday Paper

Aug 19, 2026

If the descent into hell in Climax doesn’t have the emotive force that propelled both I Stand Alone and Irréversible, it is also because there’s less consistency of vision to this new film.

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Bianca Garner

Filmotomy

Oct 11, 2024

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.

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D.M. Palmer

Vague Visages

Nov 9, 2023

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

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SIMAS C

@simas_eros Oct 17, 2026

A mind-bending, delirious film about a dance troupe’s rehearsal-turned-party that goes horribly wrong, when someone spikes the drinks with hallucinogenic drugs and locks the warehouse doors. Chaos ensues, spiraling from sex into violence. It is a harsh, raw, and cruel film—a cinematic experience in the disruptive style of Gaspar Noé.

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Milo J

@RT57384297 Aug 2, 2026

All I can say is the scenes were and still are so aesthetic.

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Paige B.

@Palan4 Jun 15, 2026

I have no idea what to rate this. I certainly wouldn't suggest it to anyone but I will definitely never forget it and that is something. This movie might have traumatized me. Pass on it if you have kids. Or maybe pass on it anyway. I could never judge the artistic or technical value of the film because the story was too messed up and I hope very unrealistic but I have no idea because I've never been unknowingly drugged with lsd.

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Kris B.

@bonetealzao May 23, 2026

Good “spiral into madness” type of movie.

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Jessie Z

@za2011 Apr 27, 2026

From a technical standpoint, it’s fucking brilliant. Loved the way the film was shot, the lighting is magnificent, sound design was great, the music throughout was incredible, the acting was decent and the dancing choreography was awesome but, everything else fall short. There’s no real plot nor story. And the “euphoric” aspect doesn’t kick in until an hour or so in. And even then, nothing really happens but a whole lot of screaming. I was hoping for madness and chaos but you don’t get the satisfaction or the “climax” you were hoping for. I don’t regret watching but there’s not enough substance to recommend it anyone else.

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Hamid A

@RT80673231 Mar 27, 2026

This movie is made for people who like sexual stuff maybe bec they don't have enough in their life maybe they subscribe to certain website but that's not enough they want even movies to be like that anyway

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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: Les Cinémas de la Zone, Eskwad, Wild Bunch, KNM, arte France Cinéma, Rectangle Productions
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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