Bad Trip is a contemporary psychological horror.

A group of young adults, not old enough to consume alcohol legally chooses to experiment on psychedelic mushrooms in an unfamiliar environment. Anyone who has ever experimented with psychedelics will tell one not to do this, it would most definitely lead to a terrifying experience, what is called a "bad trip."

Once the mushroom's psyilisybin effect kicks in. A mass of confusion is added to the desperate situation as the night escalates out of control.

Frightening, yet simple, the repetitive sound design would include things such as chiming car doors, crickets that drown out other sounds, soft running water and a music score that is thematically dissonant, yet appealing and adding confusion to the audience psyche.

Visually, special effects such as liquid dissolves, mosaics, blurs, blends, warps and color effects will greatly enhance the visual elements, while adding to the overall frenzy and paranoia.

What starts off a nice little spring break soon gets out of hand. The arid desert, the huge rust colored cliffs, a beautiful crystal clear lake gives the appearance of serenity and security for the young adults. By day everything is almost tranquil, but as nightfall arrives, everything turns into a life or death struggle to survive, while trying to separate the effect of the powerful drug and the reality of the situation.

The situation is that a seemingly dangerous wanted man has escaped from a high-security psychological hospital. It appears that he is returning to the place he committed several vicious murders some twenty odd years ago. The truth is he was framed, set-up by another young man in his small community who had actually committed the horrific crimes against humanity. The crime so horrible that people moved from the town and no one ever returned. The only remaining occupants that remain are a gas station attendant and a groundskeeper of a deserted lodge. The young people are warned that they should leave immediately. They don't heed the warning of these simple men.

The sheriff who searches for the escapee with a vendetta is actually the murderer from long ago when he was a young man. The escape of the prisoner gives the sheriff an excuse to go on another murderous rampage. Unknown by almost all that he is the predator.

During the late 1940's and early1950's in Parker, Arizona a small community was built by the U.S. govt. for housing several hundred workers who's job it was to build Parker Dam. Once the project was completed the housing was abandoned and stands to this day. Several hundred houses stand eerily in the middle of the desert. Burrows had been used during the building of the dam to haul supplies. Some of them had been left behind and have flourished. It's an odd sight to drive along the Colorado River and see the wild burrows walking along the highway during dusk. Signs warn to watch out, "Burrow Crossing". An odd sight.

Several abandoned gas stations and building line the road as one heads toward the small odd town of Parker. Although poverty abounds in the extremely hot area, there is also a beauty about the place. Clear blue skies, beautiful blue water and majestic cliffs. This is such a strange location for a horror film. It's jarring to see the beauty of the place and think of terrible things that await the six young adults.

One of the things that will set this picture apart from other horror genres is the locations and the storyline. There is no obvious slashing and blood lust, used to visually offend. The offending elements are that the group cannot control the drug that flows in their veins and that they cannot think rationally, while knowing that there is a pending danger in the air. A danger that is a couple hundred miles away from any town. They're hours away from any help. Virtually, they are on their own.

The group of young characters profiled is like that of most teenagers and young adult today. There is the handsome young man, a know it all that foresaw the impending doom, the quirky young woman and her archetype. There is also a jock and a punk with a serious personality crisis. Mostly, the dialogue is intended not to be stupid and mundane, but probing. I think that most films that are made to "reflect" their culture insult young filmgoers. I don't think most "out of touch" filmmakers understand how young people feel about things. This film, although it is of the horror genre, it will delve into the psychological profile of the struggling youth who are searching for answers. Unfortunately, for this group the answers come too late.

I feel that combining the element of issues that are important to youth, everything from drugs-to uncaring parents, or parents too busy to notice their kids have gone astray. Visual effects, a good musical score, sound effects and psychological torment and a tricky story line will make this film an important film for the horror genre.