SimilarScreen
Altered States

Altered States

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.

19806.71h 43m

Overview

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.

Directed by Ken Russell
Written by Paddy Chayefsky
Produced by Howard Gottfried
Box OfficeBudget: $15.0MRevenue: $19.9M

Top Cast

William Hurt

William Hurt

Professor Eddie Jessup

Blair Brown

Blair Brown

Emily Jessup

Bob Balaban

Bob Balaban

Arthur Rosenberg

Charles Haid

Charles Haid

Mason Parrish

Thaao Penghlis

Thaao Penghlis

Echeverria

M

Miguel Godreau

Primal Man

Dori Brenner

Dori Brenner

Sylvia Rosenberg

Peter Brandon

Peter Brandon

Hobart

Charles White-Eagle

Charles White-Eagle

The Brujo

Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore

Margaret Jessup

Themes & Keywords

experimentgeneticsbased on novel or bookritualsubconsciousnessharvard universitypsychologysurrealdrug usemagic mushroomdrug tripuniversitydrugspsychedelicsmetamorphosissensory deprivationisolation tankdeprivation chamberpsychedeliclovecraftian

About Altered States

Altered States is a horror, science fiction, thriller film released in 1980 exploring themes of experiment, genetics, based on novel or book, ritual, subconsciousness, harvard university. Directed by Ken Russell, it stars William Hurt, Blair Brown, Bob Balaban. 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.

Movies Similar to Altered States

Discover titles like Altered States — ranked by similarity and community votes

We found 15 movies similar to Altered States

If you enjoyed Altered States, you'll love these handpicked recommendations. Each title below shares similar themes, tone, and storytelling style. Our algorithm analyzes genres, keywords, director filmography, and cast connections to find the closest matches. Whether you're looking for the same emotional depth, narrative structure, or visual style, these picks are curated to deliver the best viewing experience for fans of Altered States.

Hellraiser
25% Match

Hellraiser(1987)

Movie6.9/10

A hedonistic man finds a mysterious puzzle box that summons a group of gruesome beings known as the Cenobites. These otherworldly entities open the doors to a dominion where pain and pleasure are indivisible.

The Serpent and the Rainbow
22% Match

A Harvard anthropologist is sent to Haiti to retrieve a strange powder that is said to have the power to bring human beings back from the dead. In his quest to find the miracle drug, the cynical scientist enters the rarely seen netherworld of walking zombies, blood rites and ancient curses. Based on the true life experiences of Wade Davis and filmed on location in Haiti, it's a frightening excursion into black magic and the supernatural.

Infinity Pool
21% Match

While staying at an isolated island resort, James and Em are enjoying a perfect vacation of pristine beaches, exceptional staff, and soaking up the sun. But guided by the seductive and mysterious Gabi, they venture outside the resort grounds and find themselves in a culture filled with violence, hedonism, and untold horror. A tragic accident leaves them facing a zero tolerance policy for crime: either you'll be executed, or, if you’re rich enough to afford it, you can watch yourself die instead.

From Beyond
21% Match

The Resonator, a powerful machine that can control the sixth sense, has killed its creator and sent his associate into an insane asylum. When a psychiatrist becomes determined to continue the experiment, she unwittingly opens the door to a hostile parallel universe.

Eraserhead
20% Match

Eraserhead(1977)

Movie7.3/10

First-time father Henry Spencer tries to survive his industrial environment, his angry girlfriend, and the unbearable screams of his newly born mutant child.

Forbidden World
20% Match

In the distant future, a federation marshal arrives at a research lab on a remote planet where a genetic experiment has gotten loose and begins feeding on the dwindling scientific group.

The Island of Dr. Moreau
20% Match

A plane crash surviving attorney stumbles upon a mysterious island and is shocked to discover that a brilliant scientist and his lab assistant have found a way to combine human and animal DNA—with horrific results.

Sssssss
19% Match

Sssssss(1973)

Movie5.1/10

David, a college student, is looking for a job. He is hired by Dr. Stoner as a lab assistant for his research and experiments on snakes. David also begins to fall for Stoner's young daughter, Kristina. However, the good doctor has secretly brewed up a serum that can transform any man into a King Cobra snake-and he plans to use it on David.

The Blood Beast Terror
19% Match

A scientist working with genetics creates a horrifying flying creature that feeds on human blood. Following a gruesome trail of dead bodies, Scotland Yard investigators must scramble to halt its ravenous rampage.

Friday the 13th: A New Beginning
19% Match

Homicidal maniac Jason returns from the grave to cause more bloody mayhem. Young Tommy may have escaped from Crystal Lake, but he’s still haunted by the gruesome events that happened there. When gory murders start happening at the secluded halfway house for troubled teens where he now lives, it seems like his nightmarish nemesis, Jason, is back for more sadistic slaughters.

The Fly
19% Match

The Fly(1986)

Movie7.4/10

When Seth Brundle makes a huge scientific and technological breakthrough in teleportation, he decides to test it on himself. Unbeknownst to him, a common housefly manages to get inside the device and the two become one.

Splice
19% Match

Splice(2010)

Movie5.9/10

Elsa and Clive, two young rebellious scientists, defy legal and ethical boundaries and forge ahead with a dangerous experiment: splicing together human and animal DNA to create a new organism. Named "Dren", the creature rapidly develops from a deformed female infant into a beautiful but dangerous winged human-chimera, who forges a bond with both of her creators - only to have that bond turn deadly.