Gaspar Noé is known for his highly controversial films which are, in turn, known for their depiction of sex, violence, and vibrant colors that make for an instantly recognizable viewing experience. Noé’s films are designed to challenge audiences and provoke a strong reaction, which can sometimes be an uncomfortable viewing experience. This was the case for his 2021 movie Vortex, which The Guardian dubbed as “punishing” and “painfully bleak,” but nonetheless gave it a four-star rating.
Noé’s work has been overall praised by critics, tracing back to his feature debut I Stand Alone, winning the International Critics’ Week Award at Cannes. He has since gone on to produce a body of work that is consistently thought-provoking and current. Here are the best Gaspar Noé movies, ranked.
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6 Lux Æterna
Yves Saint Laurent / Vixens / Les films de la zone
Noé’s Lux Æterna was released in 2019 and follows two actors who are attempting to make a film about witches. During the production of this film, lots goes wrong, and the creation of the film quickly goes off the rails. Lux Æterna is very experimental in nature, visually speaking, and uses split-screen techniques (which are a sort of Noé signature across his filmography). The film becomes meta in nature, with the actors playing different versions of themselves in the movie, which makes for a very interesting viewing experience.
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5 Climax
Rectangle Productions / Wild Bunch
Climax was released in 2018 and is an intense viewing experience. The film follows a group of dancers who all start simultaneously suffering from an intense and dark drug trip. The film doesn’t actually show any of the physical hallucinations they are experiencing, but we are shown how distressing this is through the actors’ reactions. Climax is very uncomfortable at times, and exemplifies Noé’s craftsmanship, combining visuals and physical performances that lend the film an eerie vibe.
4 Irréversible
StudioCanal
Irréversible was released in 2002 and is undeniably one of Noé’s most disturbing films. The story tells the story of a woman who is assaulted in Paris, choosing to tell the story in reverse-chronological order. The film is gut-wrenching and definitely is not for everyone. Irréversible is brutal in its content, but does so in order to fully depict the damaging and real effects assault can have on people.
3 I Stand Alone
Canal+
I Stand Alone was released in 1998 and is Noé’s first feature-length effort, and is equally impactful as it is distressing. The film follows the life of a butcher (Philippe Nahon), depicting the character flaws that can follow a person in all areas of their life. I Stand Alone is narrated from the perspective of the Butcher’s inner thoughts, and does a great job of introducing and showcasing Noé’s style, which would continue throughout all his films.
2 Enter the Void
Fidélité Films / Wild Bunch
Enter the Void was released in 2009 and is a film that has since received somewhat of a cult following. The film follows Oscar (Nathaniel Brown), a French drug dealer who is living in Tokyo. During a drug deal that goes south, he is shot to death, and he begins to experience the afterlife, with his soul drifting through the streets of Tokyo. The film is visually overstimulating and an intense sensory experience, something which has become known in almost all of Noé’s films. Beneath all the visual stimulation is a heavy, emotional story that is as impactful as the visual journey.
1 Vortex
Rectangle Productions
Vortex was released in 2021, being the most recent film on the list. The film follows an elderly couple struggling with their deteriorating health and brain function, showcasing a heart-breaking journey where we see them deteriorate. Vortex is one of the most personal of Noé’s, as outlined by IndieWire, taking experiences from his own life and relationships, which makes the film one of the most emotionally cutting of all of his movies.
