THE VAULT

Altered States (1980) Explained: Beyond the Blood

Scare Score: 6.9/100

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.

The Premise

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.

Why It Terrifies Us

Categorized under Sci-Fi, Body Horror, Altered States taps into fundamental fears. The 6.9/100 Scare Score is well-earned. The themes of experiment, genetics, based on novel or book continually haunt viewers long after the credits roll.

Into The Vault

Ready to dig deeper? The ScreamDesk Vault connects you to the architecture of fear.