Altered States

Altered States 1980

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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of Altered States (1980). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


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.

As years roll by, Edward’s professional pursuits mirror the turbulence of his personal life. His marriage to Emily hangs in the balance, yet they are tied together by their mutual thirst for knowledge. When Edward comes across the Hinchi tribe, known for their ritualistic collective hallucinations, he journeys to Mexico to immerse himself in their sacred rites. Upon reaching the enchanting Hinchi hill country, adorned with mushroom-shaped rocks, he meets Eduardo Echeverria, his supportive guide.

The elder of the tribe, known as “the brujo,” entrusts Edward with a mystical potion made from the legendary Amanita muscaria mushrooms and the enigmatic shrub Heimia salicifolia, lovingly dubbed the “first/primordial flower.” This plant is believed to invoke profound memories and heightened states of consciousness. As Edward clutches a root from the revered shrub, the brujo adds drops of his own blood to the mix. Soon, Edward is plunged into a chaotic and vivid hallucinatory state, inundated with visions of decay and erosion, swirling in sandstorms with Emily.

The following day, Edward departs from the Hinchi plateau, now clouded in moral turmoil after unintentionally killing a sacred monitor lizard while under the potion’s influence. The weight of this act manifests in his dreams, where a petroglyph symbolizes the gift of the sacred mushroom tied to the tribe’s mythology.

Back in the United States, Edward, fueled by an insatiable quest for knowledge, begins to analyze the Hinchi potion, eager to dive deeper into the intricacies of human consciousness. However, the potion’s potentially perilous effects mount with every intake, leading him to retreat into sensory deprivation with hopes of enhancing the substance’s potency. In a makeshift tank within a medical facility, Edward embarks on increasingly shocking and disorienting visions, transporting him to the dawn of humankind and allowing him to witness early Hominidae. Even as his colleagues monitor closely, Edward claims these intense experiences have transcended into an “externalized” realm. Upon emerging from one session bloodied and frantic, he insists on undergoing X-ray imaging, leaving the radiologist baffled to discover they belong to a gorilla.

As his explorations deepen, Edward encounters even more surreal phenomena. He emerges from the tank resembling a feral caveman, driven by primal instincts, causing chaos before reverting back to his human form. Undeterred by the unease of his associates, Edward perseveres, fueled by an unrelenting desire to explore his self-evolution. In one last act of desperation, he plunges into the depths of his psyche, transforming into a formless, sentient mass of primordial energy. The aftermath of this experiment sends shockwaves, incapacitating his colleagues and obliterating the tank. When Emily, who is observing this decline, arrives at the scene, she only finds a torrent in place of the tank and desperately searches for Edward, who teeters on the edge of disappearing into a void.

With support from friends, Edward is safely returned home, as they anxiously await the conclusion of his metamorphosis. With Emily’s watchful gaze upon him, Edward’s regression continues unabated, demanding neither the mystical brew nor sensory isolation. As Emily pleads with him to resist this unraveling, she reaches out and takes his hand, only to be ensnared by the swirling primordial energy radiating from him. This jarring moment ignites the flicker of humanity within Edward, compelling him to resist the transformation. With a final surge of will, he reclaims his human form, embracing Emily, who too has regained her normal self. Their love shines brightly, a beacon guiding them out of the dark abyss that nearly consumed them both.

Timeline

Track the key events of Altered States (1980) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Edward's Fascination Begins

Edward Jessup, a psychologist at Columbia University, becomes entranced by the phenomenon of schizophrenia. His curiosity leads him to hypothesize that the subconscious mind could have tangible influences on conscious experience.

Columbia University

Crossing Paths with Emily

During a faculty gathering, Edward meets Emily, an intellectually vibrant individual who captivates him. Their connection deepens as they share a thirst for knowledge, and she eventually becomes his life partner.

Exploring Sensory Deprivation

Edward, alongside his colleagues Arthur Rosenberg and Mason Parrish, begins experimenting with sensory deprivation using flotation tanks. This method intrigues him as he hopes to unlock greater understandings of consciousness.

Journey to the Hinchi Tribe

Edward learns about the Hinchi tribe, renowned for their ritualistic collective hallucinations. Driven by his obsession with exploring consciousness, he travels to Mexico to partake in their sacred rites.

Hinchi hill country, Mexico

Encounter with the Brujo

Upon arriving at the enchanting Hinchi hill country, Edward meets Eduardo Echeverria, a supportive guide. He is introduced to the tribe's elder known as 'the brujo,' who entrusts him with a mystical potion made from Amanita muscaria mushrooms.

Hinchi hill country, Mexico

The Hallucinatory Experience

After receiving the potion, Edward experiences chaotic and vivid hallucinations. These visions are filled with imagery of decay, leading him into an intense journey through his subconscious where he sees swirling sandstorms with Emily.

Moral Turmoil from the Ritual

After his hallucinatory experience, Edward grapples with the unintended consequences of his actions, having killed a sacred monitor lizard while under the influence of the potion. This event weighs heavily on him, manifesting through dark dreams.

Back to the United States

Returning home, Edward becomes fixated on analyzing the Hinchi potion, embarking on a quest to deepen his understanding of its effects. The more he explores, the more perilous the potion's impact appears to become.

United States

Intensifying Sensory Deprivation

In an effort to harness the power of the Hinchi potion, Edward retreats into sensory deprivation once again. This time, his experiences grow more disorienting, transporting him to the dawn of humankind as he witnesses ancient Hominidae.

Medical facility

Transformation into a Caveman

Edward undergoes a shocking transformation, emerging from the sensory tank resembling a feral caveman. Driven by primal instincts, he causes chaos before painfully reverting back to his human form, despite his colleagues' concerns.

Medical facility

Plunge into Primordial Energy

In a desperate attempt to explore his psyche fully, Edward plunges into an abyss of thought, transforming into a formless, sentient mass of primordial energy. This experience unleashes chaos, incapacitating his colleagues and destroying the tank.

Medical facility

Emily's Desperate Search

As Edward's physical form dissipates into a void, Emily rushes to find him, only to confront the chaos left behind. She desperately searches for Edward, torn apart by the swirling energy that threatens to consume both of them.

Medical facility

Rescue and Reclamation

With the help of friends, Edward is brought back from the brink of transformation, as they all anxiously await the outcome. Emily remains by his side, hoping to guide him back to reality as he faces his identity crisis.

The Moment of Humanity

As Edward continues to struggle with his regression, Emily takes his hand amidst the chaos. This connection rekindles the flicker of humanity within him, leading to a profound moment where he begins to resist the pull of transformation.

Reclaiming Their Love

With a final surge of willpower, Edward regains his human form and embraces Emily, who also returns to herself. Together, they emerge from the dark abyss, their love shining as a beacon of hope in the aftermath of their harrowing journey.

Characters

Meet the characters that bring Altered States (1980) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Edward Jessup (William Hurt)

Edward Jessup is a brilliant yet troubled psychologist whose fascination with schizophrenia leads him on a perilous path of self-discovery. His intellectual curiosity drives him to experiment with consciousness-altering substances, often to the detriment of his mental health. Throughout the film, Edward evolves from a seeker of knowledge to a man on the brink of losing his humanity.

🧠 Psychologist 🥴 Experimenter 🌀 Seeker of Knowledge

Emily

Emily is a strong, intelligent character who serves as Edward's partner and grounding influence. Her deep understanding and unwavering support highlight the emotional stakes of Edward's experiments. As the film progresses, her love becomes pivotal in navigating Edward's chaotic transformations, embodying resilience and compassion.

❤️ Supportive 😊 Intelligent 🎓 Partner

Setting

Uncover the settings of Altered States (1980), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

The movie explores themes of human consciousness and psychological phenomena across various time periods. Edward Jessup's journey represents both contemporary psychological studies and echoes of early human existence as he delves into primal visions. This exploration connects the past of mankind with modern scientific inquiry, blurring the lines between history and the present.

Location

Hinchi hill country, Mexico, United States

The Hinchi hill country in Mexico is known for its mystical landscapes adorned with mushroom-shaped rocks, and it serves as a significant backdrop for the spiritual rituals of the Hinchi tribe. The region holds deep cultural importance, particularly related to the tribe's practices involving collective hallucinations. In contrast, the United States serves as the contrasting modern environment where Edward Jessup's scientific pursuits take place, reflecting the clash of traditional and contemporary worlds.

🇲🇽 Mexico 🇺🇸 United States 🌄 Natural Landscapes 🏞️ Cultural Sites

Themes

Explore the core themes of Altered States (1980). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


🌀

Consciousness Exploration

The film delves deeply into the nature of human consciousness and the subconscious mind. Through Edward's experimental journey, it highlights the dialogue between psychological science and spiritual exploration. His grappling with sensory deprivation and mystical substances underscores the allure and danger of transcending ordinary perception.

💔

Love and Connection

At its core, the movie examines the relationship between Edward and Emily, illustrating how love can act as both a tether and a lifeline amidst chaos. Their bond is tested through Edward's dangerous pursuits, yet it ultimately proves to be the catalyst for his return to humanity. This theme emphasizes the intertwining of love and self-discovery.

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