Altered States Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A Harvard scientist tries to find the ‘original self’ by taking a lot of mushrooms and floating in a tank, which somehow turns him into a hairy caveman and then a glowing blob, until the power of love zaps him back to normal.

🍿 Altered States: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Search for Primal Truth

In 1967, brilliant but unconventional psycho-physiologist Edward ‘Eddie’ Jessup begins a series of radical experiments. Using a sensory deprivation tank, he immerses himself in isolation, seeking to unlock deeper states of consciousness. His initial experiences in the tank are profound, manifesting as vivid, often religious-based, hallucinations and a painful re-engagement with the memory of his father’s death.

An Intellectual Romance and Growing Obsession

Eddie meets Emily, a doctoral candidate in physical anthropology, and despite his emotional detachment, they form an intense intellectual and passionate connection, eventually marrying. Seven years later, both are respected professors at Harvard. However, Eddie’s relentless pursuit of the ‘Original Self’ and an ultimate ‘Truth’ leads him to feel that his academic life has become too conventional, driving a wedge between him and Emily, ultimately leading to their separation as he prioritizes his radical research.

The Mexican Mushroom Ceremony

Driven by his insatiable curiosity, Eddie travels to Mexico to participate in a mystical ceremony with an indigenous tribe, consuming potent, untested hallucinogenic mushrooms. He experiences a powerful ‘trip’ where he believes he is propelled into a void, a ‘crack into Nothingness’ from which the ‘unborn soul’ originates. He returns to Boston with samples of the mushroom solution, determined to combine its effects with his sensory deprivation tank experiments to further his quest.

Physical Manifestations of Altered States

Back in his lab, under the increasingly alarmed supervision of his colleagues Arthur Rosenberg and Mason Parrish, Eddie injects himself with the mushroom solution before entering the tank. His experiments lead to terrifying and unprecedented physical transformations. He experiences blackouts, emerges with blood on his mouth, and X-rays reveal temporary changes to his skull structure, resembling that of a gorilla. At night, signs of rapid genetic mutation, like hair growth on his body, become evident, signaling a terrifying regression beyond mere hallucination.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Eddie Jessup (William Hurt): A brilliant but obsessive psycho-physiologist who pushes the boundaries of sensory deprivation and hallucinogens, leading to radical physical and mental transformations.
• Emily Jessup (Blair Brown): Eddie’s academic wife who deeply loves him despite his detached nature and desperately tries to save him from his destructive experiments.
• Arthur Rosenberg (Bob Balaban): Eddie’s skeptical but loyal pharmacologist colleague who assists with his increasingly dangerous experiments while expressing grave concerns.
• Mason Parrish (Charles Haid): Eddie’s concerned colleague and friend who helps monitor his extreme sensory deprivation and drug trials.
• Primal Man (Miguel Godreau): The savage, ape-like physical manifestation of Eddie Jessup’s regression during his most extreme experimental states.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Eddie Jessup: “I’m searching for the original man. I want to see him. I want to look at him. I want to look at his nature.” – Expressing his driving intellectual obsession to Emily early in their relationship, defining his relentless quest for fundamental truth.
• Emily Jessup: “Life doesn’t have truths, Eddie.” – Emily, a grounded academic, attempts to counter Eddie’s fanatical search for ultimate truths, emphasizing the subjective nature of human experience and love.
• Eddie Jessup: “It’s the abyss, Emily. The one place I swore I’d never go, and I went there. And it’s nothing. There’s nothing there. Just this terrible, terrible, terrible nothing.” – After a harrowing experience in the tank, Eddie describes the terrifying emptiness he discovered, marking a shift in his perception of ultimate reality.
• Emily Jessup: “Fight it, Eddie! Fight it if you love me!” – During the climactic and most extreme transformation, Emily desperately pleads with Eddie to return to his human form, emphasizing the power of their bond over his scientific obsession.
• Arthur Rosenberg: “What question was that?” – Said with dry humor after Eddie delivers a lengthy, intense monologue about his philosophical motivations, highlighting Arthur’s more pragmatic and detached perspective.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $15,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $19,853,892
• Worldwide Gross: $19,853,898

💥 Altered States Reviews

Personal Review

Oh man, ‘Altered States’ is just *wild*. I remember watching it for the first time and just being completely mesmerized by the visuals. It’s not your typical sci-fi; it feels more like a fever dream you can’t quite shake. William Hurt absolutely nails it as Eddie Jessup, this brilliant but totally unhinged scientist. You really feel his obsession and descent, and some of those transformation scenes are still genuinely disturbing and mind-blowing, especially for a film from 1980. The ending, while a bit out there, had a surprising emotional punch that tied it all together for me. It left me thinking for days about consciousness and what it means to be human.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of mind-bending science fiction and psychological thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in themes of consciousness, evolution, and existential philosophy”
  • “Those who appreciate surreal and experimental filmmaking”
  • “Admirers of Ken Russell’s unique and bold directorial style”
  • “Audiences open to body horror and disturbing visual effects”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Contains intense and disturbing hallucinatory imagery”
  • “Features sequences of partial nudity”
  • “Includes violence and unsettling physical body transformations”
  • “Depicts themes and instances of experimental drug use”
  • “May include brief religiously provocative or blasphemous imagery”

Professional Reviews

• Film Critique Quarterly: “Ken Russell’s ‘Altered States’ is a visceral, mind-bending journey that defies easy categorization. William Hurt’s debut performance as the obsessive Dr. Jessup is utterly captivating, anchoring the film’s wild premise. While its ambition occasionally borders on the chaotic, the film’s audacious visuals and relentless pursuit of profound questions make for an unforgettable, if sometimes overwhelming, cinematic experience. It’s a true original.
• Cinema Today: “More than just a sci-fi thriller, ‘Altered States’ is a deeply intelligent exploration of consciousness and human connection. The film’s scientific jargon crackles with energy, pulling you into Jessup’s harrowing quest. Ken Russell masterfully blends chilling horror with philosophical inquiry, complemented by a haunting score and groundbreaking visual effects that remain impactful even decades later. A compelling, thought-provoking trip.
• The Cinematic Eye: “William Hurt’s electrifying debut propels ‘Altered States’ into a league of its own. This isn’t just a film about scientific experimentation; it’s a surreal, often horrifying descent into the human psyche, powered by incredible hallucinatory sequences and a bold musical score. While the pacing might feel deliberate in its initial act, the film’s unique blend of sci-fi, horror, and profound philosophical questions makes it a truly singular work of art that rewards patient viewing.

Audience Reactions

The mesmerizing, psychedelic visual effects and intense hallucinatory sequences left viewers spellbound.: Audiences consistently praise William Hurt’s powerful and committed performance, the film’s bold originality, and its willingness to tackle complex, thought-provoking themes about human consciousness and evolution.

Overall Consensus: Altered States is a divisive but ultimately revered cult classic, celebrated for its audacious visuals, intelligent themes, and William Hurt’s memorable debut, even if its narrative can be abstract and challenging.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “This film marked the feature film debut of acclaimed actor William Hurt, who delivers a captivating performance as Eddie Jessup.”
• “It also featured the film debut of a very young Drew Barrymore, who appears as Eddie and Emily Jessup’s daughter.”
• “Renowned screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky, who also wrote the novel the film is based on, famously disowned the final movie. He was contractually bound not to change his script, but disliked director Ken Russell’s interpretation. Due to this dispute, Chayefsky is credited under his real first names, Sidney Aaron, in the screenplay credit.”
• “The film’s groundbreaking and disturbing special makeup effects, particularly the transformation sequences, were crafted by legendary makeup artist Dick Smith, known for his work on ‘The Exorcist’ and ‘Amadeus’.”
• “The experimental and often jarring musical score, which was nominated for an Academy Award, was composed by John Corigliano, marking his debut as a film composer.”

🖥️ How to Watch Altered States?

Experience the intense sci-fi thriller ‘Altered States’ by renting or purchasing it digitally. The film is typically available on demand via streaming platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play, offering convenient access. For collectors or those preferring physical media, DVD and Blu-ray versions may also be available from various retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Altered States, you might like these similar films:

• Videodrome (1983): Explores themes of body horror, media-induced hallucinations, and psychological breakdown driven by extreme sensory experiences, similar to Jessup’s experimental journey.
• 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968): Shares a fascination with human evolution, cosmic journeys, and abstract, mind-expanding visuals, pushing the boundaries of cinematic storytelling through a psychedelic lens.
• Scanners (1981): Released in the same era, this David Cronenberg film also features unsettling body horror, unconventional scientific experimentation, and visceral, shocking special effects.
• Annihilation (2018): Features visually stunning and disturbing transformations, a mysterious, evolving force, and explores themes of self-destruction, mutation, and existential dread within an alien landscape.
• Jacob’s Ladder (1990): A cult classic known for its intense, disturbing psychological horror, featuring nightmarish hallucinatory sequences and a protagonist’s descent into a terrifying, fragmented reality.

🛒 Altered States Related Products

• Altered States 4K UHD Blu-ray: Experience the mind-bending visuals and intense drama of ‘Altered States’ in stunning 4K Ultra HD. This special edition often includes bonus features like behind-the-scenes documentaries, deleted scenes, and commentary, offering a deeper dive into its groundbreaking effects and challenging themes.
• Altered States by Paddy Chayefsky (Novel): Delve into the source material that inspired the film. Paddy Chayefsky’s novel explores the same profound themes of consciousness, evolution, and human connection with even greater philosophical depth and character insight, offering a different perspective on Dr. Jessup’s extraordinary journey.
• DIY Sensory Deprivation Tank Guidebook: Explore the principles behind sensory deprivation with a comprehensive guide. Learn about the psychological and physiological effects of extreme isolation, perfect for those curious about consciousness research and the science depicted in the film.
• Altered States Primal Scream T-Shirt: Showcase your appreciation for this iconic sci-fi film with a unique T-shirt featuring stylized artwork inspired by Dr. Jessup’s transformations or the film’s memorable psychedelic sequences. A conversation starter for fellow fans.

🎧 Soundtrack

Altered States features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Altered States (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)” – performed by John Corigliano
• “Voile d’Orphee” – performed by Pierre Henry

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Altered States transformation scene to single cell

You absolutely HAVE to see this iconic transformation scene! It’s the pinnacle of Altered States’ mind-bending visual effects and truly showcases why this film was so groundbreaking and unsettling at the time.

Altered States – Renegade Cut

If you’re eager to dive deep into the fascinating blend of science and spirituality in Altered States, this insightful analysis from Renegade Cut is a must-watch. It really unpacks the film’s complex themes in a way that makes you appreciate its brilliance even more.

Sci-Fi Movies That Went Too Far

Ever wondered which sci-fi films truly pushed the envelope and left audiences stunned? This video perfectly frames Altered States within a lineage of genre-bending movies that weren’t afraid to go ‘too far’ – it’s a great way to see how ahead of its time this film truly was!

This Overlooked Sci-Fi Horror Film Is Terrifyingly Beautiful And Takes You Deep Into Surreal Realms!

Curious about the origins and unique blend of sci-fi and horror that makes Altered States so special? This review gives you an excellent overview of its wild journey, from its acclaimed source novel to its unforgettable visuals – definitely worth a watch if you’re exploring the film!

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