Climax (2018)

Kernel Score: 77% · 2,297 ratings · Rated R

Genres: Horror, Drama

Released: 2018-09-19

Runtime: 97 minutes

Is Climax worth watching?

Depends on your taste. Climax is an extreme, abrasive experiment: a spectacular opening dance sequence, then a descent into drugged chaos. It is technically daring and deliberately hard to sit through, so what you think of it depends on your tolerance.

Watch it if you

  • like bold, provocative arthouse horror
  • love dance and kinetic long takes
  • enjoy Gaspar Noé style endurance tests

Skip it if you

  • dislike graphic or disturbing content
  • want a story with real characters to care about

Best for: Late-night adventurous viewing

Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.

Where to watch Climax

US availability, updated 2026-10-23.

Overview

When a dance troupe is lured to an empty school, a bowl of drug-laced sangria causes their jubilant rehearsal to descend into a dark and explosive nightmare as they try to survive the night—and find who's responsible—before it's too late.

Climax parents' guide: ages 16+

Parents need to know that this R-rated horror-drama depicts a dance troupe descending into drug-fueled chaos including sexual violence, incest, and overdose.

  • Violence & scariness: Intense — Includes child abuse, sexual abuse, imprisonment, and psychological disintegration, per keywords and R rating.
  • Sex, romance & nudity: Intense — Depicts orgy, incest, and sensual dancing content, per keywords.
  • Drinking, drugs & smoking: Intense — Central plot involves LSD-spiked drinks leading to drug overdose and hallucinogenic chaos.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

Movies like Climax

If you liked Climax, these are the movies we'd watch next.

  • Enter the Void (2010) — 84%: Same disorienting, immersive trip into excess and dread
  • Irreversible (2002) — 80%: Same director, equally punishing and formally daring
  • Martyrs (2008) — 83%: Brutal, uncompromising French extreme horror
  • Black Swan (2010) — 86%: Performance, obsession and breakdown, more polished and accessible
  • Dogtooth (2009) — 78%: Strange, unsettling and controlled study of a closed-off group
  • The Skin I Live In (2011) — 85%: Disturbing, stylish and morally twisted European thriller

Director

Gaspar Noé

Cast

  • Sofia Boutella as Selva
  • Romain Guillermic as David
  • Souheila Yacoub as Lou
  • Kiddy Smile as Daddy
  • Claude-Emmanuelle Gajan-Maull as Emmanuelle
  • Giselle Palmer as Gazelle
  • Taylor Kastle as Taylor
  • Thea Carla Schøtt as Psyche
  • Sharleen Temple as Ivana
  • Lea Vlamos as Eva

Climax FAQ

Is Climax worth watching?

Depends on your taste. Climax is an extreme, abrasive experiment: a spectacular opening dance sequence, then a descent into drugged chaos. It is technically daring and deliberately hard to sit through, so what you think of it depends on your tolerance.

Where can I watch Climax?

In the US you can stream Climax on Prime Video, watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Hoopla, The Roku Channel, Fandango at Home and Plex and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.

Is Climax OK for kids?

Climax is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 16+. Parents need to know that this R-rated horror-drama depicts a dance troupe descending into drug-fueled chaos including sexual violence, incest, and overdose.

What movies are like Climax?

If you liked Climax, try Enter the Void, Irreversible, Martyrs and Black Swan.