Rentals
Altered States
Mad scientists, mutants, man-machines and mind-bending trips - these films connect with our human biology and chemistry.
Whether pushing the limits of the human body or bioengineering new futures for the species, many of these films owe much to the stomachchurning virtues of their special effects. In an age where bio-machining is well under way and the planet seemingly destined to face increasingly difficult challenges to its survival, this is sci-fi territory which feels more potent than ever. Unraveling the mysteries of the mind is another sci-fi specialty, of course, and in Altered States you’ll find films that evince the hallucinatory power of cinema, play with our memories and generally mess with our minds.
The Untamed The Untamed
Horror 2016 98 mins Director: Amat Escalante
Amat Escalante follows Heli with a boundary-pushing, mind-blowing mix of sex, sci-fi and social drama.
The Endless The Endless
Horror 2017 112 mins Director: Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson
Two brothers who escaped a cult are drawn back in by a mysterious message… Acclaimed directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead (Spring) return with another hybrid piece of raging intensity.
The Thing The Thing
Horror 1982 109 mins Director: John Carpenter
Twelve men at an Antarctic research station battle a shape-shifting alien that hides in human form, in John Carpenter’s ground-breaking sci-fi horror.
Upstream Colour Upstream Colour
Science Fiction 2013 96 mins Director: Shane Carruth
Shane Carruth’s startlingly original and beautifully conceived drama follows two lovers as they recover from infection by a mind-altering parasite.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Drama 2004 103 mins Director: Michel Gondry
Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet play the couple who fall in love so quickly it seems they must have known each other in a past life ... only to discover they did.
The Congress The Congress
Drama 2013 123 mins Director: Ari Folman
Ari Folman’s follow up to Waltz with Bashir is a hallucinatory fable about an actress whose digital image is controlled by a Hollywood studio.
Splice Splice
Horror 2010 104 mins Director: Vincenzo Natali
Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley are scientists who create an animal-human hybrid that develops at an alarming rate and soon grows out of control.
Behemoth the Sea Monster Behemoth the Sea Monster
Horror 1959 69 mins Director: Douglas Hickox and Eugène Lourié
A radiation-spouting prehistoric creature emerges off the Cornish coast and begins making its way towards London, in Britain’s answer to Godzilla.
Creature from the Black Lagoon Creature from the Black Lagoon
Horror 1954 79 mins Director: Jack Arnold
Jack Arnold’s monster classic about the discovery of a prehistoric, amphibious Gill-man that takes a shine to a female expeditionary.
The Andromeda Strain The Andromeda Strain
Science Fiction 1971 131 mins Director: Robert Wise
Veteran director Robert Wise’s adaptation of Michael Crichton’s sci-fi novel is an alien virus epic with superb special effects and a suspenseful climax.
The Final Programme The Final Programme
Science Fiction 1973 86 mins Director: Robert Fuest
Wild adaptation of Michael Moorcock's novel about a playboy's search for the lost designs of the perfect self-replicating human.
The Giant Gila Monster The Giant Gila Monster
Horror 1959 75 mins Director: Ray Kellogg
This low-budget addition to the creature features craze of the 1950s sees a giant lizard emerge from a Dallas ravine to terrorise teenagers.
Doomwatch Doomwatch
Science Fiction 1972 92 mins Director: Peter Sasdy
Dr Del Shaw and the Doomwatch team investigate sinister effects of pollution on a small island in this big-screen spin-off from the cult BBC series.
Island of Lost Souls Island of Lost Souls
Horror 1932 70 mins Silent Director: Erle C. Kenton
A highly controversial adaptation of the H.G. Wells story about a mad scientist creating half human/half animal creatures on his island kingdom.
Scanners Scanners
Horror 1980 103 mins Director: David Cronenberg
From singularly talented Canadian director David Cronenberg comes this sci-fi/horror classic about people with powerfully violent telepathic powers.
The Incredible Shrinking Man The Incredible Shrinking Man
Science Fiction 1957 81 mins Director: Jack Arnold
One of the classics of 50s sci-fi sees the title character in the unfortunate position of continually shrinking following exposure to radiation.
Man without Desire Man without Desire
Fantasy 1924 108 mins Silent Director: Adrian Brunel
A sumptuous silent drama of love, frustrated desire and suspended animation in 18th-century Venice.
Slaughterhouse-Five Slaughterhouse-Five
Comedy 1972 103 mins Director: George Roy Hill
This adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut’s novel follows Billy Pilgrim’s journeys in time as he flits between WWII Dresden and a future on planet Tralfamadore.
Midnight Special Midnight Special
Science Fiction 2015 112 mins Director: Jeff Nichols
Jeff Nichols, the acclaimed chronicler of American delirium, presents an imaginative sci-fi about an otherworldly child pursued by the FBI and a shadowy cult.
Videodrome Videodrome
Fantasy 1983 87 mins Director: David Cronenberg
James Woods and Debbie Harry star in David Cronenberg’s mind-melting sci-fi about media domination.
The Wall The Wall
Drama 2011 104 mins Director: Julian Roman Pölsler
A woman holidaying at an Alpine hunting lodge discovers she’s been encircled by a mysterious, invisible force-field, in this highly original exploration of solitude and survival.
Open Your Eyes Open Your Eyes
Thriller 1997 119 mins Director: Alejandro Amenábar
Alejandro Amenabar’s signature science-fiction drama follows a young man who falls for his dream woman, before he is disfigured in an accident.