Altered States
1980 · Movie · R · 103 min · ★ 6.7 · 72% critics
A research scientist pushes the boundaries of human consciousness through sensory deprivation and hallucinogenic mixtures, seeking answers about memory, time, and reality. His experiments lead to vivid altered states that reshape how he experiences the world and himself.
Also known as Au-Delà du Réel
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Details
- Years
- 1980
- Release date
- 1980-12-25
- Language
- English
- Rated
- R
- Runtime
- 103 min
- Max quality
- HD
- Critic score
- 72/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.7/10 (759 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy Altered States if you want a cerebral, high-intensity trip into altered consciousness and primal imagery, with a serious love story at its center; Not for you if you dislike extreme, chaotic hallucinations or want a straightforward, fully satisfying mystery like Infinity Pool or Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me.
Pros: mind-bending hallucinations; bold sci-fi ideas; strong lead performances | Cons: overwhelming chaos; pacing drags; unsettling body-horror elements
Themes
- experiment
- genetics
- based on novel or book
- ritual
- subconsciousness
- harvard university
- psychology
- surreal
- drug use
- magic mushroom
- drug trip
- university
- +8 more
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best Sound · 1981 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Original Score · 1981 · nominated
Cast & crew
William Hurt
as Professor Eddie Jessup
Blair Brown
as Emily Jessup
Bob Balaban
as Arthur Rosenberg
Charles Haid
as Mason Parrish
Thaao Penghlis
as Echeverria
- MG
Miguel Godreau
as Primal Man
Dori Brenner
as Sylvia Rosenberg
Peter Brandon
as Hobart
Charles White-Eagle
as The Brujo
Drew Barrymore
as Margaret Jessup
Directed by Ken Russell