Le Cercle Canal + /Climax
In 2018, following the theatrical release of Climax, Gaspar Noé’s latest feature film at the time, Canal+’s cinema program Le Cercle devoted part of an episode to a critical discussion of the film. The show, known for its round-table format and pluralistic approach to film criticism, brought together journalists and critics to examine one of the year’s most divisive French releases.
Hosted then by Augustin Trapenard, Le Cercle positioned Climax as a work designed to provoke strong reactions rather than broad consensus. The panel largely acknowledged Noé’s formal control and technical ambition, particularly the film’s extended dance sequences, long takes, and immersive sound design. These elements were frequently described as central to the film’s impact, transforming the viewing experience into something closer to a physical or sensory ordeal than a conventional narrative.
However, the discussion revealed clear disagreements regarding the meaning and value of this formal radicalism. Some critics defended Climax as a coherent artistic gesture, arguing that its rejection of traditional storytelling was deliberate and consistent with Noé’s cinematic project. Others expressed skepticism, questioning whether the film’s intensity and escalating violence served a purpose beyond provocation, and pointing to what they saw as a lack of narrative or psychological depth.
The debate also placed Climax within the broader context of Gaspar Noé’s body of work, drawing comparisons with earlier films such as Irréversible and Enter the Void. While some panelists viewed Climax as a distilled or even matured expression of Noé’s obsessions, others interpreted it as a reiteration of familiar strategies, pushing spectacle and discomfort to their limits without offering new insight.
Ultimately, Le Cercle did not seek to resolve these opposing views. Instead, the segment underscored Climax’s status as a polarizing cinematic object—one that challenges audiences and critics alike, and that, regardless of individual judgment, succeeded in generating sustained critical debate within the French film landscape of 2018.