Altered States

Synopsis

In this 1980 sci-fi horror film, William Hurt plays Eddie Jessup, a scientist obsessed with discovering mankind's true role in the universe. To this end, he submits himself to a series of mind-expanding experiments.

By enclosing himself in a sensory-deprivation chamber and taking hallucinogenic drugs, Jessup hopes to explore different levels of human consciousness, but instead is devolved into an apelike monster. Director Ken Russell helmed Altered States from a script by Paddy Chayefsky, who adapted his own novel of the same name.

Unhappy with the finished product, Chayefsky had his name replaced with his pseudonym Sydney Aaron.

Cast

Bob Balaban, Drew Barrymore, William Hurt, Blair Brown, Charles Haid, Thaao Penghlis, Miguel Godreau, Dori Brenner, Peter Brandon, Charles Eagle, Megan Jeffers