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Sci-fi thriller

Altered States (1980): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Altered States (1980) movie poster

Altered States is a 1980 sci-fi thriller starring William Hurt. It runs 1 hour 42 minutes and earned $19.9 million worldwide. It was nominated for 2 Oscars. Critics gave it 58 on Metacritic.

worldwide gross
$19.9M
award nominations
4
Metascore
58
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Altered States (1980) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 42m (102 min)
Genres
Sci-Fi , Thriller , Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Altered States About?

The premise of Altered States without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Haunted by a mysterious past, George Gallagher finds his life spiraling out of control when he involuntarily begins to teleport to different locations while sleeping. As a fugitive desperately trying to evade capture, he struggles to understand the cause of these erratic disappearances, battling both his pursuers and the disintegration of his sanity. He must uncover the truth behind his condition before it completely overwhelms him.

Altered States Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • isolation tank
  • hallucination
  • drugs
  • drug
  • scientist
  • surrealism
  • caveman
  • science
  • sensory deprivation chamber
  • genetic
  • 1970s
  • male rear nudity
+38 more
  • goat
  • sensory deprivation
  • indian tribe
  • indian
  • blood
  • screenwriter credited under pseudonym
  • male nudity
  • x ray
  • magic mushroom
  • quest for knowledge
  • anthropologist
  • genetic regression
  • evolution
  • university
  • mushroom
  • based on novel
  • hippie
  • new age
  • ketamine
  • psychedelic image
  • blasphemy
  • new york city
  • science runs amok
  • insanity
  • crucifixion
  • fantasy sequence
  • philosophy
  • cynicism
  • gay slur
  • security guard
  • nightstick
  • foot chase
  • animal attack
  • police car
  • lens flare
  • body horror
  • inside the mind
  • psychologist
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Cast & crew

Altered States Cast

William Hurt stars in Altered States.

Ratings

Altered States Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Altered States 58 on Metacritic.

Plot

Altered States Plot Summary

What happens in Altered States from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Edward Jessup, a psychologist from Columbia University, is deeply fascinated by the enigma of schizophrenia. He begins to hypothesize that our subconscious might be as tangible and influential as our conscious experiences. This curiosity leads him to experiment with sensory deprivation through flotation tanks, alongside his colleagues, Arthur Rosenberg and Mason Parrish. During a faculty gathering, he crosses paths with Emily, a dynamic intellect who eventually becomes his life partner.

Full summary

The whole story of Altered States, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Altered States Box Office

Altered States grossed $19.9 million worldwide. $19.9 million came from the US and Canada and $6 (0%) from the rest of the world.

1980 box office

Worldwide gross

$19.9M

US & Canada
$19.9M
International
$6
US & Canada 100% Rest of the world 0%
Awards

Altered States Awards & Nominations

Altered States was nominated for 2 Oscars. The 4 nominations come from 3 ceremonies, the most at the Oscars 1981.

4 nominations3 ceremonies

Videos

Altered States Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 clip.

Trailer #60
  • Trailer Altered States (1980) - Trailer HD 1080p
  • Clip Tank
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Altered States?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Edward Jessup's profession?

Cars

Cars in Altered States

11 cars on screen, including the 1969 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 and the 1965 Chevrolet Chevy Van.

All 11 cars
  • 1969 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 in Altered States 1969 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Minor role
  • 1965 Chevrolet Chevy Van in Altered States 1965 Chevrolet Chevy Van Minor role
  • 1971 Ford LTD in Altered States 1971 Ford LTD Minor role
  • Willys MB 'Jeep' in Altered States Willys MB 'Jeep' Minor role
Details

Altered States Also Known As

22 alternative titles, including “Другие ипостаси” and “Viagens Alucinantes”.

Also known as
  • Другие ипостаси
  • Viagens Alucinantes
  • Odmienne stany swiadomosci
  • Der Höllentrip
  • Un viaje alucinante al fondo de la mente
  • Změna stavu
  • Eksperimentet
  • Stati di allucinazione
  • Au-delà du réel
  • 灵魂大搜索
  • Experimentet
  • Változó állapotok
+10 more
  • Ανεξέλεγκτες Καταστάσεις
  • Gerçeğin Ötesinde
  • Променливи състояния
  • アルタード・ステーツ/未知への挑戦
  • 상태 개조
  • Odmienne stany świadomości
  • Estados alterados
  • Muutostiloja
  • Mutace
  • เจาะจิต

Seen Altered States?

FAQ

Altered States FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Altered States, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Altered States?

Altered States runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).

When was Altered States released?

Altered States was released on December 25, 1980.

Who is in the cast of Altered States?

Altered States stars William Hurt.

How much did Altered States make at the box office?

Altered States grossed $19.9 million worldwide ($19.9 million domestic, $6 international).

How is Altered States rated?

Altered States has 58 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.

Was Altered States nominated for any awards?

Altered States received 4 nominations across 3 ceremonies.

Does Altered States have a post-credit scene?

No. Altered States has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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