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Trailer

Altered States

1980Movie1 h 43 minR

Horror
70
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb6.9Metacritic587.0Rotten Tomatoes85%71%

A deeply unsettling, gripping horror movie about the mind and technology, with standout direction and cinematography.

Good for friends night · thought-provoking · adults

Skip it if you want to half-watch while scrolling · graphic violence bothers you · you scare easily

Where to watch

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Not for warmth, comfort or uplift.

Movies with

Story

In the basement of a university medical school, Dr. Jessup floats naked in total darkness. The most terrifying experiment in the history of science is out of control... and the subject is himself.

A research scientist explores the boundaries and frontiers of human consciousness. Using sensory deprivation and hallucinogenic mixtures from Native American shamans, he explores these altered states of cognizance and finds that memory, time, and reality itself are states of mind.

Feels like

  • Psychedelic Body Horror
  • Mind-Bending Visuals
  • Experimental Cinematography
  • Altered States of Consciousness
  • Identity and Transformation
  • Existential Themes
  • Disturbing and Unsettling
  • Philosophical Exploration
  • Avant-Garde Horror

Cast

18 of 18

Crew

Directed by
Ken Russell
Written by
Paddy Chayefsky
Produced by
Howard Gottfried
Music by
John Corigliano

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

December 25, 1980 · 1 h 43 min · R

Released
December 25, 1980
Runtime
1 h 43 min
Age rating
R
Content
Violence, Nudity, Disturbing Imagery, Drug Use
Genres
Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller
Original language
English
Also spoken
Spanish
Made in
United States
Budget
$15 million
Box office
$20 million
Available in
33 countries
Keywords
based on novel or book

Tropes

Truth in Television, The '70s, Raging Stiffie +9

  • Truth in Television
  • The '70s
  • Raging Stiffie
  • Christianity Is Catholic
  • Mr. Fanservice
  • Ms. Fanservice
  • Everyone Is Jesus in Purgatory
  • Evolving Trope
  • Our Time Travel Is Different
  • The Cutie
  • Frazetta Man
  • Evilutionary Biologist

12 of 31 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream Altered States?"

Questions about Altered States

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Altered States?

The RokuHooplaTubi TVHowdy

In the United States, Altered States streams on Howdy, and it is free with ads on The Roku, Hoopla, and Tubi TV. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 3 other countries.

Is Altered States worth watching?

70
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 70 (IMDb 6.9, Rotten Tomatoes 85%, and Metacritic 58).

Will Altered States scare me?

Not scaryTerrifying

Yes, it's frightening: scares are rated 8 of 10, and some images are gruesome (grotesque 7 of 10).

Can I half-watch Altered States?

Easy watchDemanding

No, it needs your attention: the title analysis rates it 8 of 10 for complexity and 8 for philosophical.

What tropes does Altered States use?

Truth in TelevisionThe '70sRaging StiffieChristianity Is CatholicMr. FanserviceMs. FanserviceEveryone Is Jesus in PurgatoryEvolving TropeOur Time Travel Is DifferentThe CutieFrazetta ManEvilutionary Biologistand 19 more

TV Tropes lists 31 tropes for it, including Truth in Television, The '70s, and Raging Stiffie.