Altered States (1980) — Screenplay
A scientist using sensory deprivation and hallucinogens to explore consciousness discovers his altered states physically transform him, threatening his sanity and reality.
- Written by
- Paddy Chayefsky
- Genre
- Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller
- Length
- 124 pages
This script is a masterclass in high-concept science fiction, where the internal journey of consciousness is rendered with visceral, almost hallucinatory imagery. Chayefsky's dialogue is sharp and ideologically charged, while the narrative's steady descent into the protagonist's fractured psyche offers a compelling study in character arc and escalating tension.
Read the full Altered States (1980) screenplay in PDF, page by page, right here on Laper — or download the original script to study Paddy Chayefsky’s scene work, dialogue and structure at your own pace. A free resource for screenwriters and film students learning Hollywood script format.