10 Movies & Shows Similar to Climax (2018)

Description: Aronofsky's film shares Climax's unflinching portrayal of substance abuse and its psychological effects. Both use rapid editing and disorienting techniques to simulate altered states. The ensemble casts in both films experience parallel downward spirals with no redemption.

Fact: Ellen Burstyn's monologue was shot in one continuous take. The 'hip-hop montages' were inspired by cooking shows. Jared Leto lost 28 pounds for his role.

Description: Like Climax, Irreversible is a French film that employs a raw, visceral style to depict human behavior under extreme conditions. Both films use long takes and a disorienting narrative structure to immerse the viewer in the chaos. The themes of loss of control and descent into madness are central to both.

Fact: The film's infamous 9-minute rape scene was shot in a single take. The soundtrack features a 27Hz infrasound frequency to create unease. The narrative unfolds in reverse chronological order.

Description: Both films explore the psychological and physical toll of artistic perfectionism, with dance as the medium. The descent into madness parallels Climax's drug-induced breakdown, featuring similar body horror elements and blurred reality. Both use tight, claustrophobic cinematography.

Fact: Natalie Portman trained in ballet for 10 months prior to filming. Darren Aronofsky used iPhone footage for some dream sequences. Mila Kunis did all her own dancing but had to be digitally enhanced.

Description: This remake shares Climax's intense, psychedelic atmosphere and themes of group dynamics turning sinister. Both films feature extended dance sequences that evolve into violence, using movement as a metaphor for control and chaos. The vibrant color palettes in both create a hypnotic, unsettling mood.

Fact: Tilda Swinton plays three different roles in the film. The dance choreography was created by Damien Jalet, who also worked on Climax. Thom Yorke of Radiohead composed the score, his first film work.

Description: This shares Climax's hypnotic, sensory approach to filmmaking with minimal dialogue. Both use dance/body movement as central metaphors, and feature alien perspectives on human behavior. The electronic scores and surreal visuals create similar unsettling atmospheres.

Fact: Many scenes feature real people unaware they were being filmed. Scarlett Johansson wore a prosthetic penis in one scene. The 'black room' sequences were inspired by artist Anish Kapoor.

Description: Nicolas Winding Refn's film shares Climax's neon-lit aesthetic and exploration of beauty turning monstrous. Both depict competitive environments (modeling/dancing) that bring out primal human instincts. The pulsating electronic scores and surreal visuals create similar sensory experiences.

Fact: Elle Fanning was only 16 during filming but played an 18-year-old. The infamous 'blood shower' scene used 5,000 liters of fake blood. Keanu Reeves plays against type as a sleazy motel manager.

Description: Panos Cosmatos' film shares Climax's psychedelic visuals and intense, surreal atmosphere. Both depict altered states of consciousness leading to violence, with similar neon color schemes and synth-heavy scores. The pacing builds to explosive, cathartic finales.

Fact: Nicolas Cage filmed his infamous bathroom scream scene first take. The animated 'Cheddar Goblin' sequence was a last-minute addition. The film's chainsaw duel was inspired by Japanese anime.

Description: Like Climax, this film explores family trauma manifesting in horrific ways, with similar slow-burn tension erupting into chaos. Both use precise framing and unsettling sound design to create dread. The themes of inherited dysfunction and loss of control resonate strongly.

Fact: Toni Collette's scream took 4 days to record properly. The miniature houses are a key visual motif. The film's cult language was created by linguists.

Description: Like Climax, this film depicts psychological breakdown in confined spaces, using aspect ratio and black-and-white to create claustrophobia. Both feature tour-de-force performances of characters losing sanity. The surreal, dreamlike quality and ambiguous endings are similar.

Fact: Robert Pattinson ate real mud during filming. The lighthouse lens weighed over 2 tons. Willem Dafoe's monologue was largely improvised.

Description: Ari Aster's daylight horror shares Climax's focus on group dynamics unraveling in an isolated setting. Both use bright, saturated colors ironically to depict disturbing content. The ritualistic elements and communal breakdowns create similar feelings of inescapable dread.

Fact: Florence Pugh's crying scenes used real emotional triggers. The maypole dance took 3 days to choreograph. All flowers in the film are real, not CGI.