Altered States
A research scientist explores the boundaries and frontiers of consciousness. Using sensory deprivation and hallucinogenic mixtures from native American shamans, he explores these altered states of consciousness and finds that memory, time, and perhaps reality itself are states of mind.
Working with a moderate budget of $15.0M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $19.9M in global revenue (+32% profit margin).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Altered States (1980) exemplifies carefully calibrated dramatic framework, characteristic of Ken Russell's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 42 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Eddie Jessup
Emily Jessup
Arthur Rosenberg
Mason Parrish
Main Cast & Characters
Eddie Jessup
Played by William Hurt
A brilliant but obsessive scientist who uses sensory deprivation and hallucinogenic drugs to explore human consciousness, pushing experimentation to dangerous extremes.
Emily Jessup
Played by Blair Brown
Eddie's wife, a physical anthropologist torn between her love for Eddie and her concern for his increasingly reckless experiments.
Arthur Rosenberg
Played by Bob Balaban
Eddie's colleague and friend, a more cautious scientist who assists with the experiments while growing increasingly alarmed by their direction.
Mason Parrish
Played by Charles Haid
Eddie's research partner and friend who participates in the isolation tank experiments and tries to ground Eddie in reality.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Eddie Jessup floats in an isolation tank, seeking truth through sensory deprivation experiments. He is obsessed with altered states of consciousness and disconnected from human intimacy.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Eddie's colleague Arthur tells him about a tribal ceremony in Mexico involving hallucinogenic mushrooms that produce extraordinary religious experiences. Eddie becomes fixated on combining the drug with isolation tank experiments.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Eddie physically transforms into a proto-human ape-like creature and escapes the lab. He kills a security guard at the zoo in his primitive state. The experiment has gone terribly wrong—he is losing his humanity., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, During a final experiment at home, Eddie regresses to the point of formlessness—pure energy and consciousness dissolving into chaos. He is dying, disintegrating at a cellular level, consumed by his quest for truth., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Eddie fights to reconstitute himself through force of will and love for Emily. His body stabilizes as he embraces his humanity. Emily holds him through the transformation, anchoring him to life and love., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Altered States's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Altered States against these established plot points, we can identify how Ken Russell utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Altered States within the horror genre.
Ken Russell's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Ken Russell films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Altered States takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Ken Russell filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Lake Placid, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Cat's Eye. For more Ken Russell analyses, see The Devils.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Eddie Jessup floats in an isolation tank, seeking truth through sensory deprivation experiments. He is obsessed with altered states of consciousness and disconnected from human intimacy.
Theme
Emily tells Eddie: "You're a truth junkie. You're never satisfied." The theme of obsessive pursuit of knowledge versus human connection is established.
Worldbuilding
Eddie meets Emily at a faculty party, they fall in love and marry. Seven years pass. Eddie continues isolation tank experiments while teaching at Harvard Medical School. His marriage deteriorates as his obsession grows.
Disruption
Eddie's colleague Arthur tells him about a tribal ceremony in Mexico involving hallucinogenic mushrooms that produce extraordinary religious experiences. Eddie becomes fixated on combining the drug with isolation tank experiments.
Resistance
Eddie travels to Mexico and participates in the Hinchi ritual. He experiences powerful visions of ancient memories and proto-human consciousness. Emily and colleagues warn him about the dangers, but Eddie is convinced he's onto something profound.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Eddie conducts increasingly intense isolation tank experiments with the drug. He experiences visions of evolution in reverse, genetic memories, and proto-human consciousness. Physical changes begin to manifest. The team monitors him with growing concern.
Midpoint
Eddie physically transforms into a proto-human ape-like creature and escapes the lab. He kills a security guard at the zoo in his primitive state. The experiment has gone terribly wrong—he is losing his humanity.
Opposition
Eddie reverts to human form but is shaken. Emily leaves him. Eddie becomes more isolated and desperate. He conducts more experiments, each time regressing further. His colleagues try to stop him but he refuses, insisting he's close to ultimate truth.
Collapse
During a final experiment at home, Eddie regresses to the point of formlessness—pure energy and consciousness dissolving into chaos. He is dying, disintegrating at a cellular level, consumed by his quest for truth.
Crisis
Emily finds Eddie in a state of dissolution, his body warping and transforming. She holds him as he nearly dies, witnessing the horror of what his obsession has wrought. Eddie faces annihilation.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Eddie fights to reconstitute himself through force of will and love for Emily. His body stabilizes as he embraces his humanity. Emily holds him through the transformation, anchoring him to life and love.