Movie Review: Climax

Don't you just hate when you're trying to unwind with some sangria after a rigorous night of rehearsal with your renowned dance troupe and somebody spikes it with a shitload of LSD? Well, that's the unforeseen pickle this group of young adults living in mid-90's France have to try to navigate out of in Gaspar Noe's Climax. By framing it as a lively party full of dancing, laughs and general merriment that slowly descends into pure primal madness as the night goes on, Noe engineers the film to play out like a dual-pronged acid trip where euphoria and nightmares are heightened to the highest possible degree. While you could definitely make a sound argument that this is just another gimmick movie from a director who has an affinity for shocking audiences, the manic pace, use of unorthodox camera angles (aerial, upside down, sideways, etc.) and thumping soundtrack featuring music from several iconic European electronic acts (Daft Punk, Aphex Twin, CoH) made Climax an immersive visceral experience that left me thoroughly unnerved. There's almost no chance I'd voluntarily sit through such a disturbing piece of mood-driven filmmaking again, but I respect Noe for confidently and effectively bringing his warped vision to life.     

Grade: B