The Stanford Prison Experiment

IFC Films | Release Date: July 17, 2015

7.6	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 71 Ratings

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TVJerryAug 3, 2015

If you can't tell by the profuse, thick hair on almost every actor, this movie takes place in 1971. A Stanford University psychologist (Billy Crudup) hired 24 student volunteers to play prisoners and guards in a simulated jail experiment.If you can't tell by the profuse, thick hair on almost every actor, this movie takes place in 1971. A Stanford University psychologist (Billy Crudup) hired 24 student volunteers to play prisoners and guards in a simulated jail experiment. This fact-based story gets darker, as the roles they play get more intense. The cast of young up-and-comers does a good job, but things get too intense and stay that way. Even if the dialogue is taken from actual transcripts, the film's persistent seriousness becomes a dull dark throb, instead of building into any kind of emotional payoff. It's a fascinating study, but I remember 2010's The Experiment tackled it better.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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The3AcademySinsAug 7, 2018

The Standford Prison Experiments sports some harrowing shots, good performances by both Billy Crudup and Ezra Miller, but ultimately comes across as lackluster. There are some good realistic scenes, but the pacing in this movie is all overThe Standford Prison Experiments sports some harrowing shots, good performances by both Billy Crudup and Ezra Miller, but ultimately comes across as lackluster. There are some good realistic scenes, but the pacing in this movie is all over the place, and it was honestly hard for me to pay attention while watching this one.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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NickLikesMoviesNov 14, 2015

A chilling and intense story of the depths and terrors of psychology. A fantastic ensemble, with outstanding work from Michael Angarano and Tye Sheridan, a phenomenal script, and a wonderful style and tone lead this to one of my favorites ofA chilling and intense story of the depths and terrors of psychology. A fantastic ensemble, with outstanding work from Michael Angarano and Tye Sheridan, a phenomenal script, and a wonderful style and tone lead this to one of my favorites of the year. It's incredibly smart and uses fascinating details and story points. Don't miss "The Standford Prison Experiment."… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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ahnehnoisAug 26, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Anyone who's taken a psychology class is likely to recognize Philip Zimbardo and his goatee, as well as the Stanford Prison Experiment. He comes off in this movie as a megalomaniac and a creep, but I think that's kind of the point. And frankly, anyone who's watched his real life videos sees some of the same, I suspect. The film really twists the knife in terms of making all its characters seem normal, and yet so very wrong in what they're doing.

Like any film, aspects of the real narrative are consolidated and changed, but much of it, the prisoner abuse, the callousness, and the way it ended, are all real. And just when you think the movie has finally presented us with a hero, we read that the very same resting b*tchface character who finally objects to the experiment went on to marry the person who ran it. Yep, that's true to life.

I was glad that the movie briefly teased the aftermath of the study, and showed the participants talking about it. After all, their lives did go on after this. I was also gratified that the film indulged the story of the chief prison guard, who claims to have been running his own experiment on how far he could take things before someone objected. It's a complicated story; this is no true experiment at all, but an interesting intersection of events that raises more questions than it could ever answer.

The whole film is provocative, terse, and eminently watchable for the full two hours… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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BrianMcCriticDec 4, 2015

A fascinating look at human psychology. Just seeing the authority of the guards and how far they would go. Then the prisoners just taking the abuse as it gets worse and worse. You really see how figures of power can in some cases make peopleA fascinating look at human psychology. Just seeing the authority of the guards and how far they would go. Then the prisoners just taking the abuse as it gets worse and worse. You really see how figures of power can in some cases make people do anything they desire. Scary! A-… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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ydnar4Nov 12, 2015

The young cast of prisoners and guards were outstanding in this film. Many of the young actors in the film were familiar faces but very few of them have proven themselves. The cast of young men includes Ezra Miller, Moises Arias, NicholasThe young cast of prisoners and guards were outstanding in this film. Many of the young actors in the film were familiar faces but very few of them have proven themselves. The cast of young men includes Ezra Miller, Moises Arias, Nicholas Braun, Logan Miller, Tye Sheridan and Thomas Mann. All of which deliver some of the best performances of their young careers. The highlight of the whole cast however was Michael Angarano, who becomes the most demanding and abusive guard of them all and becoming an easy character to hate. It is thrilling to watch the transformation of the characters over the course of the experiment where the identity is taken away from the prisoners through a number of methods and the guards go through effort to hide their true identity by hiding behind sunglasses and baton.

Billy Crudup is great in this film as well. Phillip Zimbardo is one of the of the most knowledgeable but controversial psychologists of all time. Crudup also begins to see and change in himself as the film continues on. Crudup once again gives a brilliant performance.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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SilverLiningAug 17, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I saw this movie last year and I went "Oh my god! This was so exquisite and intense!" I really praise of how accurate this movie was to the source material from Dr. Phillip Zimbardo's "The Lucifer Effect" and the website. The other movies I've seen based on this experiment "Das Experiment" & its American-remake were dull due to its work of fiction. But this movie was actually based on fact and I appreciate that its title and story is based on the actual events that took place in Stanford University. The cast were well-done, especially Ezra Miller as Prisoner 8612 and Thomas Mann as Prisoner 416. The story was intense. It's like you feel more sorry for the helpless, scared prisoners than you do for the sadistic prison guards. What's scary about this movie is that they're just college kids who have never been in a fight and never had any mental misbehavior. The transformation of these youths is disturbing because it is controlled by a psychiatrist who attempts to strip away their individuality physically and symbolically. My favorite scene was when Prisoner 8612 (Ezra Miller) was in "The Hole" going insane. Banging on the closet door rapidly, screaming "Please! LET ME OUT OF HERE! I WANT OUT! I WANT OUT NOW!" I loved that scene because 1) it was a realistic performance, and 2) it captivated you to understand how traumatizing it can be to be in a horrific psychological state. This movie was amazing. I really recommend this movie to anyone who is a Psychology major.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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LeZeeOct 4, 2016

Be cautious about what you're signing for!

Do you remember the Kubrick's film 'A Clockwork Orange', well, I'm not saying it is the same or similar film or storyline, but it reminded how it affects those people who are involved in a similarBe cautious about what you're signing for!

Do you remember the Kubrick's film 'A Clockwork Orange', well, I'm not saying it is the same or similar film or storyline, but it reminded how it affects those people who are involved in a similar kind experiment. This is not too violent like that film, but it has its share where some might feel uncomfortable. Except in the opening and some other parts, the entire film takes place in a single location, most likely a studio setting. That part was well done, including the screenplay and direction. One of the rare films, about the rare subject, in some way it is a must see, but seems not suitable for everyone.

It is a nice concept, but it was based on the real. It all begins when a university professor decides to conduct an experiment in the summer holiday where some students came forward to be the part of it. It is a two week long project, so the first day goes off well and then the real problem begins when a small incident leads to a series of others in the following days. How the remaining days goes and what were the results of the experiment is disclosed in the later parts.

There are many edgy events; I thought it might get ugly at some point of the narration, but stayed real and ended with a good intention. It is a collection of good performances, everyone did their parts well. Particularly those student cast. Not many of them are famous, but the film provided quite an equal share of screenspace. It is not just an entertaining film, a character study as well. First of all, it is not a usual story, so if you decide to watch it, expect accordingly. I think it is a good film to give a try for once.

7/10… Expand