★★★★½

Climax (2018)

Written by Dalton Welsh - October 6, 2020

Argentinian, France based filmmaker Gaspar Noe is perhaps one of the most divisive directors in the independent film scene with his intense, experimental, and unorthodox style. Noe’s 2018 film “Climax” is a true testament to that with its bold frenetic camerawork, unconventional storytelling, and intense performances. The film follows members of a dance group who’s dance rehearsal descends into a dark and explosive nightmare when their celebratory drinks are laced with drugs, as they must try to survive the night and find out who is responsible. Graphic and nauseating, and while not for everyone, it is undeniably an impassioned vision that is unlike any other film you’ve seen before.

The standout of the film is almost certainly its visuals thanks to director of photography Benoît Debie’s collaboration with Noe. With the long dance sequence and the proceeding drug trip the characters experience each consisting of essentially one continuous uncut shot. The camera perfectly flows from the experiences of one character to the next, with the constant turning and handheld technique of the camera reflecting the frenzied and unkempt nature of our core cast of dancers. With the extremities of the positioning and movement of the camera growing as the film progresses to match their evolving paranoia. Because of the way the film is shot, it give us a clear picture of where our characters are moving and additionally gives us a better understanding of the environment in which the story is set. And, with almost the entirety of the film taking place inside the dance studio, it further exemplifies the claustrophobia and subsequent discomfort and panic. Then, to top it all off, the film makes great use of lighting, with a toxic array of neon reds, blues, greens, purples and yellows. Not only does it give an interesting visual aesthetic to the film that feels appropriate for the performative nature of our characters, the distinct lighting used for each section of the building helps to diversify them and keep the environment constantly changing and engaging.

The performances from the cast is similarly something to be championed for their unquestioning dedication. Not only do they perform in a fantastically choreographed dance sequence, but in the small moments before their sanity begins to devolve the dialogue the characters exchange feels truly genuine. The convincing conversations they have with one another makes the rest of the film even more uncomfortable to watch as you’ve developed something of a connection to these characters and their lives. And their respective performances once they have been drugged feel perfectly balanced to where their performances aren’t over the top to the point of cheese, but instead disturbingly distraught. This is thanks to the audience being given the context of their high intensity dance performance, which makes their heightened and frenetic reaction to the drugs feel appropriate. And with these scenes being largely devoid of dialogue their strength in physical performance aids in expressing their inner turmoil. Particular praise must be given to Sofia Boutella who plays the main protagonist in the film, who conveys so much emotion and horrific visuals through the raw physicality of her performance.

The film is additionally accompanied by a combination of pre-existing and original hardcore/acid techno songs. With the film being set in the 1990s it makes use of, and draws inspiration from, the European techno sounds of the era. The unique sound that came out of 90s and 80s techno has a real otherworldly aura to it, with its fast-paced synths and robotic backings, complementing the scenes of panic perfectly. The delirious score giving the audience a real sense of the headspace of our characters.

While certainly an uncomfortable watch, both in terms of the seemingly unending horrific experiences of the characters and the nauseating movement and motion of the camera, this is obviously by design. With fantastic dance sequences informing and contextualizing the subsequent exaggerated reactions of the protagonists to the drug spiked sangria. Technically marvellous camerawork giving a holistic understanding to the environment and engrossing the audience in the scenes. Complete with acid neon lighting to diversify the claustrophobic space. Dedicated performances particularly Sofia Boutella ranging from frenetic dancing to engaging realistic scenes of dialogue all the way to drug infused panic. All of which is set to an exciting high intensity hardcore techno soundtrack. Further showing Gaspar Noe to be one of the most fierce and vehement creators in the history of film, who, depending on what you’re looking for in your films, you will either love or hate.