Altered States (1980) [reclassified 2018]

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Synopsis

Horror/Science Fiction. Based on the novel by Paddy Chayefsky. A research scientist (William Hurt) studying human consciousness discovers that he regresses to a primitive form when he takes a psychoactive drug.

Content elements

• Infrequent use of the sexual expletive in a non-sexual context; infrequent use of scatological slang, cursing, profanity, and vulgar expressions
• Frequent portrayals of gun, weapons, and hand-to-hand violence, some involving animals – some blood and detail
• Frequent portrayals of frightening scenes, nightmarish imagery, and transformations in a horror context - some blood and detail
• Infrequent portrayals of sexual activity – breast and buttock nudity, some detail
• Infrequent breast and buttock nudity in a non-sexual context
• Infrequent portrayals of alcohol and tobacco use in a recreational context; frequent portrayals of drug use in a horror context

Thematic elements

• The search for meaning
• The nature of human consciousness
• Obsession

Classification rationale

Rated 14A for disturbing content, nudity, sexual content, and violence

Classification date