Gaspar Noé’s Climax (2018) uses the dance world as the setting for a descent into chaos. While this rebellious, tense film stands inits own category in a lot of ways, its use of the performing arts as a background for horror goes back to the silent age (Phantom of the Opera [1929] remains effective today). In this two-parter we talk about three flicks thatecho the themes of Climax while weaving in the desperation of dancers and actors to express themselves and make it big.

Part 1: Curtains (1983)

Part 2: Terror (1978) and Stage Fright (1987)

Millie De Chirico’s excellent article about Climax and cult movies:

⁠https://a24films.com/notes/2019/03/the-cult-of-climax