Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics

Netflix’s Have a Good Trip Serves Up Star-Studded Psychedelic Confessions

Donick Cary’s 2020 documentary Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics isn’t just another drug movie—it’s a celebrity-studded safari through the highs, lows, and outright bizarre moments of psychedelic experiences. With a cast that reads like a who’s-who of Hollywood and music royalty, the film blends animated reenactments, expert commentary, and firsthand stories from the likes of Nick Offerman, Sarah Silverman, and the late Anthony Bourdain. latestnetflix.com's take is that but beyond the trippy visuals and A-list anecdotes, the project itself has a few behind-the-scenes quirks worth unpacking.

A-List Trippers: Who’s Dropping Stories?

The film’s biggest draw is its roster of celebrities dishing on their psychedelic adventures—or misadventures. Nick Offerman, best known for his deadpan role in Parks and Recreation, reportedly shares a tale about a mushroom trip that spiraled into an existential crisis . Sarah Silverman, never one to shy away from taboo topics, allegedly recounts a particularly surreal LSD experience involving a talking cat . Meanwhile, A$AP Rocky’s segment is said to lean into the creative boosts he’s gotten from psychedelics, framing them as a tool for artistic inspiration .

The late Anthony Bourdain, who passed away in 2018, appears in archival footage, offering a characteristically blunt take on his own experiments with mind-altering substances . His inclusion adds a layer of poignancy to the film, especially given his reputation for fearless storytelling. Carrie Fisher, another iconic figure who left us too soon, also contributes, though specifics about her segment remain scarce in the available evidence .

Other notable names like Ben Stiller, Adam Scott, and Rosie Perez round out the cast, each bringing their own flavor of psychedelic storytelling to the table . The sheer variety of voices—from comedians to musicians to actors—gives the film a chaotic, almost party-like energy, as if the audience is eavesdropping on a particularly wild dinner conversation.

Animation Meets Reality: The Film’s Trippy Aesthetic

One of the most striking aspects of Have a Good Trip is its use of animation to visualize the often indescribable experiences of psychedelic trips. The film employs a mix of styles, from retro cartoonish sequences to more surreal, abstract visuals, to bring the stories to life . This approach isn’t just for show—it’s a practical solution to the challenge of depicting something as subjective as a drug trip.

The animation segments are intercut with talking-head interviews and commentary from experts like Deepak Chopra, who provides a more grounded, philosophical perspective on the role of psychedelics in creativity and spirituality . The contrast between the wild, colorful animations and the sober reflections of the experts creates a dynamic rhythm, keeping the film engaging even when the subject matter veers into the abstract.

Netflix’s Gamble on a Niche Topic

Have a Good Trip landed on Netflix in May 2020, a time when the streaming giant was doubling down on documentary content. The film’s release came amid a resurgence of interest in psychedelics, both as a cultural phenomenon and as a potential tool for mental health treatment. While the documentary doesn’t take a hard stance on the medical or legal debates surrounding these substances, it doesn’t shy away from their darker sides either—some stories delve into bad trips, paranoia, and even near-death experiences .

The film’s reception was mixed but generally positive. It holds a 6.5/10 rating on SensCritique, based on nearly 600 votes, with viewers praising its humor and star power while critiquing its lack of depth on the science behind psychedelics . Some reviews suggest the documentary leans more toward entertainment than education, which isn’t surprising given its celebrity-driven format .

The Unanswered Questions

Despite the star power and the intriguing premise, Have a Good Trip leaves a few questions unanswered. For instance, how did director Donick Cary, best known for his work on The Simpsons and Parks and Rec, land such a high-profile cast? The evidence doesn’t specify whether the celebrities were paid, volunteered their stories, or were approached through personal connections. Similarly, there’s no clear indication of how the film’s budget was allocated between animation, interviews, and licensing archival footage.

Another mystery is the extent of Anthony Bourdain’s involvement. Given his untimely death two years before the film’s release, it’s unclear how much of his footage was repurposed from older interviews or if he recorded new material specifically for the project . The same goes for Carrie Fisher, whose segment feels like a bittersweet tribute to her legacy.

Final Trip: Worth the Ride?

Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics is less a deep dive into the science or culture of psychedelics and more a star-studded variety show of personal anecdotes. It’s funny, occasionally profound, and undeniably entertaining, but it’s not the kind of documentary that will change minds or shift policy. Instead, it’s a celebration of the weird, the wild, and the occasionally life-changing experiences that come with altered states of consciousness.

For fans of the celebrities involved, it’s a chance to see them in a more vulnerable, unfiltered light. For everyone else, it’s a reminder that even the most outlandish stories can feel relatable when told with humor and honesty. Just don’t expect to come away with a clear answer to the question: Should I try psychedelics? The film’s answer seems to be, Well, it depends on who you ask.