User reviews

This film is a dramatization of a real psychological experiment that took place at the Stanford University in 1971. The motivation was to study the dynamics of individuals who were arbitrarily placed into roles as prisoners and guards at a simulated prison. Since none of the study participants were actual criminals or correction officers, the idea was to glean insight into the psychology of the power imbalance that arises from the situation, as opposed to the people involved.

Things famously degraded quickly and the experiment was terminated after only six days. Multiple guards displayed sadistic traits and performed acts of psychological and even (to a smaller degree) physical torture, all overseen, permitted, and arguably encouraged by "superintendent" Philip Zimbardo, the study's creator.

The conditions the participants were exposed to were reprehensible, but even worse is that ultimately this was simply bad science, making the whole endeavor a cruel waste of time. The experiment lacked much of the basic rigor required, as highlighted in the film by a verbatim repetition of an actual conversation Mr. Zimbardo had with a colleague who questioned some of the basic scientific methodologies being utilized in the study.

Zimbardo himself committed what I would consider borderline criminal acts such as initially denying "prisoner" participants the option to leave when requested (to instill in them the belief that their situation was, in fact, real), which came frighteningly close to converting the "study" into a criminal act of kidnapping in my opinion.

Zimbardo explains this as him getting "to close" to the experiment, but personally I'm not particularly sympathetic to that argument. When you watch the actual clips from the study and read the notes, I'm more inclined to think that Mr. Zambardo himself had a sadistic streak that he failed to control for a time. Honestly, I think the man should have faced criminal charges for his role in this fiasco.

In the end, some good did come out of this experiment in that it created a push for establishing standards and controls for psychological experiments in the future.

Despite knowing the actual outcome, I still felt anxious about the fates of the young men involved, a testament to the power of the acting and directing here. To me, this movie is a chilling and visceral reminder of how easy it is to create conditions that foster cruelty and dehumanization. A rewarding, if somewhat depressing, film to watch.

This is perhaps one of the best movies I have seen in 2015 and yet I would think twice before watching it again. The Stanford Prison experiment is a taut and intriguing drama hat manages to thrill you for most of its run time as well as making you terribly uneasy as you ponder as to why people behave as they do in the movie. Inspire by the real life prison experiment conducted at Stanford University in 1971 using college students where some would be assigned as guards and some prisoners and were stationed in a mock prison for 14 days within the Stanford University premises itself. It proved to be one of the most disastrous and widely criticized psychology experiments ever conducted by mankind and was shut down in just 6 days.

The movie doesn't spend too much time on buildup as you start feeling the claustrophobia and sense of loss of freedom quite early on. The script has been top notch as well as the direction. The best part about the script that I loved was that it remained truthful to the actual events and the documentary style cinematography added so much realism to the experience.

The other impressive aspect of this movie is the acting. The casting doesn't involve any big superstar names, rather most of them are well known in the indie and television scenes. Phillip Zambardo's character development was pulled off by Billy Crudup with absolute finesse while Ezra Miller and Thomas Mann left a lasting impression with the devolution of their respective characters. The rest of the cast, especially the ones who played the prisoners were great as well, as they were constantly able to maintain the sense of helplessness and psychological deterioration throughout. The main star of the film, however, is Michael Angarano. His character is what everybody would love to hate. I used to remember Angarano as this charming kid in Almost Famous and Lords of Dogtown and I was quite shocked to witness the whole sadistic and borderline sociopath side of him.

The only shortcoming I felt was the overall pacing. The movie slowed down at some points; especially during the first half (I am not going to spoil anything) and it could've done a better editing job. Some of the cast, especially on the guard side could've used a bit more screen time since the camera was almost entirely focused on Michael Angarano. However, this doesn't diminish the quality of movie in any way. It's a great albeit cringe worthy study of human psyche and the movie will leave a long trail of questions for you to think about.

Overall, The Stanford Prison Experiment is undoubtedly a great cinematic achievement both in terms of visual style, storyline, acting and direction. This is not exactly a family movie or something you want to watch with your girlfriend and definitely not a feel-good experience, but if you are a fan of psychological thrillers, then this film will give you a run for your money. My IMDb rating is 8.1/10.

This was horrifying. Definitely not for everyone. Most horrifying thing is that this really happened. I don't even know where to start.

The movie is well made and told. It's really claustrophobic and it will get under your skin. How horrible humans can be. There's no violence here, but the verbal abuse and the way people are treated and at the same time being watched by people who could have stopped it, is what makes this story the more haunting.

The actors do a good job here. Those guards, man. This movie is gonna make you hate them and feel very sorry for the prisoners. It's all acting, but you really get a grudge against those guards. So, the movie did a good job on that. It gets you invested, but it at the end leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Nothing feel good about it. One thing it lacks is a main character. The first half is centered on Ezra Miller, but he disappears halfway through. I think it lost something when he was gone.

It's a though one to watch and I don't think I need to watch it again. No, once was good enough. Maybe it can do good and remind you of the cruelty of us humans, and help stop these things from happening. But, it's not an experience for everyone like I said and the cruelty is almost overboard at times and a little over the top. I think it was trying to chock people too much.

Horrifying, but well made and acted. It dwells too long on some of the most cruel moments and it's gonna make it hard to watch. So, don't go in for a casual watch. You gotta be prepared to watch it

I have to admit that my rating is conflicted between the quality of the film (the caliber of the acting and directing), and the enjoyment/watchability of the film itself. It was superbly acted and directed - exhibited by the fact that recognizable actors blended seamlessly with their characters and eliciting sincere feelings of contempt and sympathy. However, it was not an easy film to watch. Again, I think that's a testament to the talent of the artists involved.

I do think it should be required viewing for psychology students - unfortunately this film was released after my college years.

As another reviewer stated, I really would have liked to have seen more about the final repercussions: how it affected the participants once the study was over (one would imagine some could have been left with PTSD, if only short term). In fact the film was so immersive and believable that I wondered if any of the actors fell victim to the same tendencies as the original participants and got a little lost in their roles.

I had to go online to see if there were any legal or professional repercussions for Dr. Philip Zimbardo or any of the other parties involved. The post-notes at the end of the film could have been a bit more comprehensive, as I believe there were certain practices/rules put in place for psychological studies as a direct result of this experiment (among them being the establishment of the National Research Act as well as the creation of the Institutional Review Board).

So, yes, I would definitely recommend watching this movie with the caveat that you're not going to be left feeling upbeat or warm and fuzzy.

"Would you rather be a prison guard or a prisoner?" That question was put to young college men who answered a newspaper ad in "The Stanford Prison Experiment" (R, 2:02). The movie is based on a real-life psychology department study conducted at California's Stanford University in August 1971. After being screened using a questionnaire and an interview, 24 students were chosen as paid participants in the 14-day experiment (each making $15 per day). In spite of the above question being asked of all applicants, participants were assigned as either guards or prisoners by coin flips. Faculty offices in the basement of the university's psychology building were transformed into a mock prison wing. Dr. Philip Zimbardo, the psychology professor who led a team of graduate students and advisors in conducting the experiment, wanted to test the theory that conflicts between guards and inmates are caused by the men's individual personality traits. A documentary about the experiment was released in 1992 and a German film loosely based on the experiment came out in 2001, followed by an American remake in 2010, but this is the first feature film which attempts to dramatize the actual events that took place.

As we see Zimbardo (Billy Crudup) going through his selection process, we meet his team (James Wolk, Keir Gilchrist and Gaius Charles) and the student participants (including "prisoners" Ezra Miller, Tye Sheridan and Thomas Mann, along with Michael Angarano as a "guard" who based his authoritative persona on a sadistic captain in the movie "Cool Hand Luke"). The guards are briefed and given generic uniforms. The prisoners are "arrested" by actual local police officers and sent to the "prison" to "await trial". The guards process the prisoners, give them uniforms (crude smocks and stocking caps) and taught to only identify themselves by their prisoner number and to address all guards as "Mr. Correctional Officer". The guards initially perform their duties tentatively while there's a lot of eye-rolling by the prisoners. Then something happens.

Both the guards and the prisoners quickly adapt to their roles to a surprising degree and even internalize them. The guards become increasingly menacing and sadistic. The prisoners' actions vary, but all are in character as some comply while others resist the guards' authority and talk of escape and some are even pushed to their psychological limits. Zimbardo and his team watch and listen to all the goings-on via closed-circuit camera and hidden microphones. Even when the guards violate the rules they've been given and the experiment seems close to getting out of hand, Zimbardo repeatedly forbids his team from intervening. A former San Quentin inmate (Nelson Ellis) joins the team as an adviser and gets involved more than he's comfortable with. An actual priest (Albert Malafronte) speaks with each of the prisoners and the team even holds a mock parole board. When Zimbardo's girlfriend (Olivia Thirlby) stops by and observes parts of the experiment, she criticizes Zimbardo's methods and expresses concern for the well-being of the prisoners. The professor insists that his experiment could bring out positive change in prisons everywhere and wants to continue, convinced that he can keep things under control.

"The Stanford Prison Experiment" is a compelling dramatization that really sneaks up on you. Just when you're tempted to write off what you're seeing as a ridiculous exercise, you start to see what the professor sees – the remarkable transformation in the student participants from role-players to young men living and, in the case of the guards, actually relishing their roles. We also see what Zimbardo can't see – that he and his team are becoming part of the experiment themselves. The cast includes few, if any recognizable actors, but there is no weak link in this chain of performances and Crudup is particularly outstanding. Tim Talbot's script and the film's look realistically evoke the spirit of the early 70s, while the score and the cinematography are both creative and effective at drawing us into the film's narrative. Little-known director Kyle Patrick Alvarez does a great job of pulling these elements together.

Dr. Zimbardo's experiment made him an in-demand expert on the psychology of authority and on inmate-prison guard relations. He testified before Congress after major prison riots at San Quentin and Attica shortly after his experiment took place. After he noticed striking similarities between the results of his experiment and the abuse of prisoners at the hands of American soldiers in Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison in 2004, Zimbardo wrote a book discussing that connection. He has also lectured on his findings to audiences all over the world. None of this should be surprising to anyone who sees "The Stanford Prison Experiment". It's a dramatic depiction of a landmark psychology experiment and a startling window into human nature. It also happens to be a fascinating and entertaining film. "A-"

Okay - lets be honest here. Its not extremely difficult to make a film portraying a psychological experiment that was well documented and captured on film.

This film as more of a reenactment - just so you are aware.

Ezra Miller continues to shine as a prison subject in this movie. With the upcoming Justice League Films, and Miller portraying The Flash, its nice to see his work outside that to get more comfortable with his upcoming performance.

So - as the film title states, this a recalling of a social experiment gone a little too far, and had to be stopped early for reason I will not spoil.

The true nature of human empowerment is truly devastating to witness.

If you have time, see this tense thriller. It will however, raise as many questions as it answers.

A great thinking movie. Please don't forget to check out the source material on this study during, or after the movie.

Very interesting, very disturbing, and very enlightening.

It's the sad truth but I hate how they have ended with a huge lie "no long time side effects have been observed" so Zimbardo continued his studies. Why did they "omit" that one tried to kill himself as a side effect of that experiment?

The plot is based on a true story, blah blah blah. It's a good one as well! Not the amazing ingenious movie and certainly not the thriller that "Das Experiment" was... If you can find it at your local video store, go and get it and watch this instead!

Don't get me wrong, the movie is a nice attempt, really interesting and raising all kinds of moral questions and dilemmas. The actors were true and professional all the way and overall, this is more than a movie for a pleasant afternoon...

The science behind the experiment was kind of crappy, but I guess back then, psychologists were a bit on the rough side and not too cautious with experimental parameters, etc.

Anyways, if you want the thrill and the tense, "Das Experiment" is what you should be looking for. This movie was unparalleled. Better yet, watch this one first and then "Das Experiment"...

Das experiment is a much better more raw version of this . This is a great movie, but it feels so slow paced and not interesting if you compare it to the true movie.

Gives you a good look at how humans can abuse power and their position of authority. IMHO just watch the original one, not this one.Waste of time

I've always been fascinated by the original Stanford prison experiment. It always had the ingredients for a fascinating study of human behaviour. Its conductor Dr. Philip Zimbardo knew that, it just had to be played out. Of course, The Stanford Prison Experiment is a story that's been notably portrayed before, such as the 2001 German film Das Experiment. I remember being a fan of it when I first saw it, but I admit I can't quite recall it enough to make a comparison here. Nevertheless, this American version which doesn't make substitutions is a preferable version, one that makes resourceful use of today's technology and young talent. There's a dual study going on here. One, the part that writes itself, a document of the actual experiment. And the other, an examination of the ethics of the experimenters. Here is the ugly side of the human condition and our desires to push one another to feel the sweet taste of superiority.

While it may lend the obvious yet compelling results of what imaginary power and authority does to people, it still needs to be well executed to work. Fortunately director Kyle Patrick Alvarez and writer Tim Talbott have the right handling of the material, working with great economy in balancing its dichotomy's. At first it's disarmingly casual in the way the volunteers are selected and summoned, making a point of its randomizations and often offering an endearing and natural sense of humour. While superficially bleak, it's having fun with the 70s clothes and oversized moustaches, without peeling back their integrity. But then real tension, real anguish, and a real sensation of danger and dread creeps in and The Stanford Prison Experiment becomes deeply unsettling in its dehumanization techniques. With a careful sense from Alvarez of how far to escalate each sequence, it rings true to human sensibilities of what would happen in this unique situation. There's always a reminder that it isn't real, but it doesn't stop you from feeling unbearably trapped. This is nature at work, combined with a touch of modern cruelty.

There is a tendency in the film's inherent and forgivably episodic narrative that it gets you attached to a character they're focusing on only due to their upcoming exit. Thereby the film loses steam bit by bit. It gradually wins you back afterwards, but each time it takes a little longer. Ezra Miller in particular is a highlight of the first half of the film, formulating some of the most memorable instances of the prisoner's rebellions and reluctances. He's missed, but his absence only breeds more tension and vulnerability as we're left with weaker willed volunteers. If anything, this film is an impressive display of the best talent from the next generation of actors. Hopefully all to soon be familiar faces; Johnny Simmons, Tye Sheridan, Brett Davern, and a guard with the most inventive choice of wording, Michael Angarano, all stick out among other strong performances. While a crowded ensemble does mean no character gets to be fleshed out to their full potential, Alvarez and Talbott at least give room for everyone a time to shine without any dim spots.

On the experimenters end, Billy Crudup is perfect casting as Dr. Zimbardo. Donning a beard that gives him an uncanny resemblance to Satan, it doesn't remove that trustworthy glint of compassion in his eyes. His usual warmth is countered by his malicious intent to shove the volunteers to their limits and it creates an enthralling inner conflict where he's finding his own limits. The film admittedly does lack a female presence giving the nature of 24 volunteers and all the scientists being men. Its only example is Olivia Thirlby as Zimbardo's girlfriend who later involves herself in the experiment and becomes a voice of reason, but a very welcome one. It may have blind spots and a few stumbles, but it doesn't hinder what the film does right. As I was completely wrapped in its deft and dense confrontations, I kept waiting for the film to explode. Perhaps recalling the more gritty approach Das Experiment took to its second half, instead this implodes, which is a much more restrained and satisfying conclusion to watch these invisible social constructs dissolve rather than erupt.

The Stanford Prison Experiment's wealth of strong material and performances are matched by its technical ambitions. The slick photography makes it cinematic with liberal collages of close-ups and swift camera moves but still keeping it intimate. When the scene calls for rigid obedience, any time the camera moves out of line we hold our breath. It's graded with a washed-out atmosphere, relishing in the moody darkness. I've been irritated with indie films that abuse a shallow depth of field in their photography for no good reason, but this film uses it to isolate you in its grasp and as a result the film shook me up for the rest of the day. While it gets under the skin of the prisoners and the scientists, I did find myself wanting to get behind the motivations of the guards, the most vocal contributors of the experiment. Instead, thats saved for an epilogue that feels like a wise afterthought, but it's a powerful note on the personal experiments we run just because the opportunity is there. The Stanford Prison Experiment is an ideal taut psychological thriller that bristles with youthful energy and will mostly likely remain standing as one of the best of the year.

8/10

Wow ok, I didn't expect the level of sheer intensity when I put this film on.

So as I'm sure everyone is aware of, this is a true story. I had absolutely no prior knowledge of this experiment nor did I research it beforehand. Sometimes you can watch a true story film and be left a little confused as you didn't know the story prior, but this definitely works as a standalone.

So the film. Well I have to say I am impressed. It's a film that is really hard hitting to say the least. It's something that fully resonates with you hours after you've watched. The acting was absolutely superb from everyone, you hated the guards and had sympathy for the prisoners. To feel that kind of emotion on such a large scale takes great acting skills. Even though you know what the ending is going to be, you're still left anxious to know what happens next and the overall deterioration of the prisoners and the guard power was really hard hitting and written so well.

I personally would have liked to have seen maybe a little more from the prisoners after the experiment ends. How did they feel once released? Etc. The film doesn't have that rewatch factor either due to the hardcore nature of the film.

Overall though it's a film id definitely recommend to anyone who hasn't seen. Just get ready for the emotional rollercoaster of it all.

Quick thoughts before I go: Very impressive. I was afraid a film based on this would be either too pandering and surface-level or sway too much on the "informational" side. The film did a greeeeat job of really driving home its essential point while still offering an intriguing film experience. It did a great job of developing its characters. And although there are unsurprising over-dramatizations in the story, it always kept in line with the real-life tone of the whole thing. Perhaps the film makes Zimbardo a little too cruel, but Crudup did a fine job of making him feel like a human being. It could've easily failed, but it didn't.

Ezra Miller was fine until he needed to go really big. He's the only one who provides some false notes in an otherwise brilliant ensemble.

The Stanford Prison Experiment makes for compelling reading/viewing, whichever format you choose to partake in, it's science gone bonkers and has the power to chill the blood. Did we need another film version? Especially since Das Experiment (2001) is an outstanding film and clearly the one that is recommended as a first port of call on the subject?

As it is this Kyle Patrick Alvarez directed version is special as well, managing to get under the skin whilst being vivid in detail. Not just for 1971 period accuracy's (clothes/social traits et al), but across the board characterisations, as it's well written and performed.

Not recommended for those who may be down on the human race, or for those obviously after a good time. But good film making is worth time investment, as is eye opening of the human condition. 7/10

'The Stanford Prison Experiment' is one of the more intriguing films to release this year. In school I studied many different subjects. Psychology being one of them. One of the very first things we learned about was this very experiment. So, this film has been on my radar since its screening at the Sundance Film Festival. For those of you that don't know, The Stanford Prison Experiment was a study about how humans react to certain situations. In this particular case, being in a prison. Headed by Dr. Zimbardo and a couple of students, a make shift prison was built out of a few offices and a hallway. Then 24 students were selected to participate in this study. Twelve prisoners and twelve guards. The study was given two weeks to be carried out and paid $15 per day to it's subjects. What no one expected to happen, happened. It perfectly captured human nature, in a very scary way. It showed that, given a role and no limitations, humans can be incredibly cruel to one another. The film captures this beautifully. It shows these young men lose all sense of self with each and every moment they are there. Within one day most of the test subjects were so lost that they had forgotten each others names. Only referring to each other as the number that they were assigned. This makes 'The Stanford Prison Experiment' one of the scariest films to watch. It displays how we as humans are. Whether we like it or not. Without limits it's scary what people can and will do. Even on a scale as small as this. With every passing day these students were dehumanized more and more without even realizing it. Losing themselves entirely and falling into the role that they were assigned. Of course all this would've gone to waste without its cast. If even one of them broke character this entire film could have come crumbling down on itself. This is what struck me the moment that I began watching. It may not have any big name actors but these guys sure know what they are doing. I have seen many of them in various films but I had no idea they were this good. In many scenes their performances alone carry the film.

But not all is well here. Unfortunately this film is to fact based. Yes, it shows that these kids were completely dehumanized but it never tries to go deeper. Watching the kids grow closer to their breaking point with every passing minute was an enjoyable watch but it didn't pack any real punch. It doesn't give any reason to see it again. If you already know about this study and just want a refresher then read about it instead.

'The Stanford Prison Experiment' definitely a good watch. It makes good with the fascinating material that it so dutifully recreates. It's a film that I would recommend to anyone purely for its intense educational value. The more you know about yourselves and others, the better. Yet, if you are already familiar with the study your time is best spent elsewhere. As this film doesn't offer anything past what we already know.

I don't think they quite nailed what they were going for with this film, but I can't deny it does make for fairly uncomfortable viewing - which is the intention, I guess.

'The Stanford Prison Experiment' has a very localised and low-budget feel to it, things that arguably actually enhance the vibe of the production. The acting is up-and-down, while the run time is too long.

Billy Crudup is very good as Dr. Philip Zimbardo, while those who portray the team around him are also solid. It's when you get to the 'inmates' that the acting gets weaker, none of them are bad but they aren't on the same level as Crudup & Co. - despite some familiar faces, including a few from 'The Walking Dead' world. Michael Angarano as "John Wayne", however, deserves praise.

It took me a little while to connect to the story, it gets a tad iffy when it's setting everything up though soon finds proper ground in the middle act before ending kinda slowly; this didn't need to be 122 minutes.

Would I recommend this? Yes. It's worth a watch. Perhaps could've been greater though.

This film blew me away. I first saw it at the IFC Center in New York with an average expectation. The sound editing is the first thing you notice. It's crisp, clean, and wields its own power that is advantageous to the narrative.

The narrative centers around the experiment that takes place at the Stanford University in the 70's. It follows the students who participate and how their lives immediately change for the worst. Now the film feels and looks like the era with great costumes and set work. Everything from the computers to the coffee mugs immerses you ever so deeper into the emotional toil that intensifies with each scene.

A smart move I would like to mention from the casting directors is the fact they used actors from children's films and popular TV shows then start beating them up and messing with their characters' minds. For any millennial, they would instantly recognize the actors which gives the millennial a sense of familiarity with the characters, and at that sense feel more towards the behavior and mistreatment of those children actor's character.

Overall, I was pleased with the film as it's theme and historical significance played in my mind throughout the whole day.

My friend, who studies psychology recommended this film to me as I love anything to do with how the brain works and the consequences that can come from it. I had a pretty good idea going into this film what it would be about. However, seeing it on the big screen was something different entirely. Just the way each individual's personality shifted and altered, and for some, adapted was a scary look into the capability of human beings, given the correct circumstance. The idea that we can take on another persona, and not always consciously depending on your environment is a truly staggering thought.

While some may say this film was slow, it was a slow burner and I think that played to its advantage. If the participants went cray cray in the first ten minutes then it would be nothing to do with mind control, or authority or pure brain power. Not to mention it's entertainment value would be severely diminished. The acting was superb from each of the cast members. And while it was a lengthy two hours, time flew by for me because of how fascinating it really was. Scary to think this experiment really happened. Would recommend!

Disturbing film leaves you wishing for more clarity but I guess you can interpret the results for yourself. Maybe the director pulled his punches in the end for it lacks a real resolution. But this may be one movie where the director knows it's best to present the facts without interpretation.

After watching this movie, there is something here that is really great. The concept of locking college kids up for crimes they are accused of and running a psychological experiement on how the microsystems of a prison are established and continue to run. It's a fascinating aspect of humanities horrible side on display.

There is though, a horrible truth though that is spelled out in the movie. The prisoners and the guards..all signed up for it and can leave anytime they feel. In a real prison, there is legal violence that the guards can exercise to ensure that the prisoners remain. These kids can just up and leave. This is discussed in the movie. But, for some reason, the prisoner kids just accept everything as it is. Maybe its because in the back of their mind they know that they're still getting paid. Maybe that's the real test. How much are kids willing to put up with for X amount of dollars.

The movie is done really well. Actors are fantastic and the whole thing was captivating. Definitely recommend to watch.

This movie is one of the most shocking things I've seen and it's all because it's a true story of a so called scientist that has lost his humane side and enjoyed conducting a psychologically damaging experiment. The lack of control on the guards shows that Dr.Philip was fascinated by the horror and cruelty human kind can create even in a simulation. The fact that he chose an ex-prisoner as a consultant shows that this experiment lacks all credibility because the ex-prisoner wanted to subject his negative experience on innocent students. A chilling movie until the last seconds!!!!

This is the story of the famous psychological experiment carried out at Stanford University in 1971 where a group of students drew straws to see who were to be prison guards and who were going to be prisoners for two weeks and how the were going to behave when put in their roles. I've seen this experiment replicated before on a channel 4 documentary and it's interesting to watch - This film wasn't' as interesting. You can argue that this experiment was the foundation for a lot of reality TV but the film didn't really work because it was just actors playing the parts . There was very little explanation as to why the experiment was being carried out in the first place and even less on why the students acted like they did. I found this utterly dull and that's unforgivable in a film.