Climax is a modern psychological thriller about a youth named Kirster whose mother was so excessively devoted to him that she alienated her husband's affection for both herself and the boy. Deprived of his father's love, Kirster developed an intense hatred for his mother, which finally drove him to murder her. She was thought, however, to have suicided.

The father remarries, and now the stepmother, Nina, stands between the boy and the affection he craves from his father. Kirster is determined to make her leave, but she resolves to win the boy's confidence and friendship.

This further separates Kirster from his goal; his despair finally culminates in disaster.

Norway"s critics hailed Climax as the greatest film made in the country, and Rolf Clemens, on the strength of his third feature, is regarded as the most important Norwegian director.

Under his direction, the performances of Rut Tellefsen in the part of Nina, and Per Jansen (a young stage actor in his film debut) are outstanding achievements. The impeccable camera work and the electronic musical score add to the poignancy and atmosphere of the drama.