• Altered States (1991)

    Respected scientist and psychology professor Edward Jessup (William Hurt) decides to combine his experiments in sensory deprivation tanks with powerful hallucinogenic drugs, convinced that it may help him unlock different states of consciousness. The experiments are a success at first, but as Jessup continues his work, he begins to experience altered mental and also physical states. As he spends more time in sensory deprivation, his grip on reality begins to slip away.

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Altered States
58
metacriticBased on 13 Critics
78
Based on 5 Users

Release Date: January 22nd, 1991

DVD Release Date: December 29th, 1998

R |1 hr 43 min

Plot Summary

Respected scientist and psychology professor Edward Jessup (William Hurt) decides to combine his experiments in sensory deprivation tanks with powerful hallucinogenic drugs, convinced that it may help him unlock different states of consciousness. The experiments are a success at first, but as Jessup continues his work, he begins to experience altered mental and also physical states. As he spends more time in sensory deprivation, his grip on reality begins to slip away.

Cast: William Hurt, Blair Brown, Bob Balaban, Charlie Haid, Thaao Penghlis, Miguel Godreau, Dori Brenner, Peter Brandon

Director: Ken Russell

Genres: Science fiction

Production Co: Warner Bros.

Distributors: Warner Bros. Pictures

Keywords: 1970s, Intense, Wife

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Ratings & Reviews

  • 88
    Roger EbertChicago Sun-Times

    Altered States is a superbly silly movie, a magnificent entertainment, and a clever and brilliant machine for making us feel awe, fear, and humor. show more

  • 50
    Jay ScottThe Globe and Mail (Toronto)

    Altered States can be accused of many things, but never of harboring a new idea. Because the script's lessons have been drowned in fruity religious imagery, Altered States is at most an accomplished horror film, the kind of stomach-churning movie to which people like David Cronenberg aspire. [23 Jan 1981]

  • 63
    Glenn Heath Jr.Slant Magazine

    The most interesting dimension of Altered States has to be the way Russell sexualizes Eddie’s relationship with godly figures, most notably symbols of Jesus, crucifixion, and his father. show more

See all critic reviews on metacritic.com

Awards

Nominated Sound
Oscars Academy Awards (1980)
Nominated Music (Original Score)
Oscars Academy Awards (1980)