William Hurt's Must-Watch Cult Classic Sci-Fi Movie Is Streaming For Free

Are you looking for a great sci-fi movie that's shockingly based on a true story? Better yet, do you want one that won't eat into your bank balance? If the answer to these questions is yes, look no further than Ken Russell's "Altered States," which is currently available to stream for free on Tubi.

"Altered States" follows Edward Jessup (William Hurt), a scientist who experiments with hallucinogenic drugs and sensory deprivation tanks to learn more about the human consciousness. However, things take a turn for the worse when the psychedelic drugs enter the fray, as Edward experiences scary trips and genetic setbacks. One scene even sees him turn into an ape-like caveman and run around at night, and it's more unsettling than it sounds.

Russell's film, and the novel it's based on, were inspired by the work of scientist John C. Lily. Like Edward, Lily experimented with sensory deprivation tanks and LSD, causing him to encounter supernatural creatures and more in his own altered states. Lily's trips sound lifted straight from a horror flick, so it's unsurprising that they influenced one of the most terrifying sci-fi films of the 1980s. "Altered States" is now regarded as a cult classic, but what did critics have to say about it?

"Altered States" was very well received by critics, with the film boasting an 85% fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film's advocates praised it for its daring qualities and willingness to go off the rails in spectacular ways. Still, isn't that what everyone wants from a mind-bending sci-fi flick? "It keeps threatening to go bonkers, then makes good on its threat, and still remains as lucid as an aerialist on a high wire," Richard Corliss wrote for Time. "It moves with the loping energy of a crafty psychopath, or of film makers gripped with the potential of blowing the moviegoer's mind out through his eyes and ears."

Roger Ebert famously hated a lot of beloved sci-fi horror movies, but even he fell for the nightmarish charms of "Altered States." In his three-and-and-half-star review, Ebert wrote, "I can tell myself intellectually that this movie is a fiendishly constructed visual and verbal roller coaster, a movie deliberately intended to overwhelm its audiences with sensual excess. I know all that, and yet I was overwhelmed, I was caught up in its headlong energy."

If nothing else, "Altered States" is a one-of-a-kind movie — like almost every other film in Ken Russell's filmography. It's a pure trip, but William Hurt gives an incredible performance that forces viewers to believe in the reality of its nightmares — even when his character reverts back to his caveman ways. Head on over to Tubi and check out this gem if you want to have your mind blown to smithereens.