LSD
The arc of this movie reminds me of an acid trip that begins, peaks, with his sudden awareness of the kaleidoscopic beauty of his surroundings, "Oh wow, what a beautiful sky," devolving into existential terror.
shareI've got to ask since I never have and never plan to take an acid trip. Does the acid trip always devolve from an awareness of beauty to an existential terror or is that just on an occasional trip.
shareThe latter, as I recall. It's been decades, but I think it depends mostly on the particular batch of the drug itself...bear in mind that this stuff was made in bathtubs back in the day, so there was little quality control...your trip would also be affected by your mood, your state of mind, etc.
I'm not suggesting that this is the correct way to interpret this movie, by any means, just that there are similarities between Ned's behavior and someone tripping on acid. He doesn't seem to recall things that his neighbors mention nor does he have a tight grasp on reality.
I do recall someone once describing an acid trip as "induced psychosis."
"Does the acid trip always devolve from an awareness of beauty to an existential terror or is that just on an occasional trip."
No. It's different for everyone, and no doubt also depends on the drug itself (dosage as well as batch and so forth, as well as individuals and their various reactions to it).