Climax (2018)
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A French dance troupe's celebratory after-party descends into chaos after their sangria is spiked with LSD.
The story
In the winter of 1996, a professional French dance troupe rehearses an upcoming performance in an abandoned school. After completing their elaborate closing piece, the group celebrates with a party featuring music and sangria. However, the atmosphere shifts when the dancers realize the drink has been spiked with a hallucinogen, likely LSD. As the effects take hold, the dancers begin to experience varying states of agitation and confusion. The initial celebration quickly dissolves into a tense, paranoid environment as the group members struggle to maintain their composure while navigating the escalating psychological effects of the drug.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1996, a French dance troupe rehearses in an abandoned school. Following a successful rehearsal, they hold a party where the sangria is spiked with LSD. The dancers soon spiral into drug-induced psychosis. Tensions peak as they accuse one another of tampering with the drink. Amidst the chaos, various tragedies occur: a child is locked in an electrical room, a woman's hair is set on fire, and a man is beaten by the group. The film follows the escalating violence and erratic behavior of the dancers as they engage in physical altercations, sexual encounters, and self-harm. The narrative culminates in a state of total breakdown where the group is fractured by paranoia. By morning, the police find the aftermath of the night: several dancers are unconscious or dead, others are injured or alone, and the scene is one of devastation. The film ends with the survivors in various states of shock or continued hallucination.
- First release year
- 2018
- Runtime (minutes)
- 96
- Production countries
- Belgium; France
- Original languages
- French; English
- Writers
- Gaspar Noé · writer
- Cast and characters
- Sofia Boutella · Selva; Souheila Yacoub
- Genres
- experimental; psychological horror
- Themes
- collective failure; impact of fear
- Tone and mood
- experimental; disturbing
- Premise and plot tags
- dance; hallucinogens; party; sibling incest
- Source material / true-story basis
- Based on the true story of a French dance troupe in the 1990s whose drinks were spiked with LSD.
- Content notes
- violence
- Reception
- The film received positive reviews, particularly for its direction, cinematography, soundtrack, choreography, and performances, though some critics found the violence and plot to be excessive.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 69% · scale: percentage · review count: 185; Metacritic · score: 69 · scale: 100 · review count: 37
- Production trivia
- The film was shot in only 15 days.; The cast consisted mostly of dancers with no prior acting experience.; The film features a long take lasting over 42 minutes.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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