Since Max is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery and home to many of the company's most popular and beloved films, subscribers rarely struggle to find something to watch.
But because there are so many big titles and blockbusters on Max, you might not have even realized you overlooked one of the best psychological (and psychedelic) horror films ever made. I'm talking about the 2018 movie Climax written and directed by Gaspar Noé (Irréversible).
What makes Climax special? It's a unique and artistic movie featuring a large ensemble cast led by Sofia Boutella (Rebel Moon, Atomic Blonde). Despite being released in 2018, Climax takes place in the late 1990s during a rehearsal in an abandoned school. Once they complete their long and arduous rehearsal process, the dance troupe relaxes and throws a big after-party complete with sex, drugs, and violence.
The party starts all in good fun, but the night soon takes a dark turn when it is revealed that someone spiked the sangria with LSD. Every dancer is affected by the drug differently, leading to brutal confrontations, bloody skirmishes, and other memorably disturbing moments, including someone getting set on fire, electrocution, and more.
That's not even considering the film's actual filming style and cinematography, which often uses effects and distorting camerawork to mimic the effects of the drugs on the viewer. Noé also uses several long takes throughout the film, one lasting over 40 minutes. It's an impressive way to immerse the viewers further, as it feels like you're watching a live performance during the scenes where we see the dancers flex their talents.
Plus, the long takes mimic how it might feel if you'd imbibed in the spiked sangria and found yourself wandering the halls of the abandoned school, stumbling upon scenes of grotesqueness and terror. What's even more impressive is that the movie's cast is mostly comprised of real dancers, many of whom had no prior acting experience. You certainly wouldn't know it from watching this.
Climax isn't your average psychological film. It's artsy and more intense than an M. Night Shyamalan movie or any teen scream slasher movie. You'll want to prepare yourself before you start watching this one, as the violence might be too gratuitous and disturbing for some viewers. It was distributed by A24 in the US, which should help you decide whether or not to watch. If you've seen some of Noé's other works like Irréversible or Enter the Void, you'll have a better idea of what to expect.