The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015)

In 1971, twenty-four male students are selected to take on randomly assigned roles of prisoners and guards in a mock prison situated in the basement of the Stanford psychology building.

Director:

Kyle Patrick Alvarez

Writers:

Tim Talbott, Philip Zimbardo (based on the book "The Lucifer Effect")

Stars:

Ezra Miller, Tye Sheridan, Billy Crudup

4 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Billy Crudup	...	Dr. Philip Zimbardo
Michael Angarano	...	Christopher Archer
Moises Arias	...	Anthony Carroll
Nicholas Braun	...	Karl Vandy
Gaius Charles	...	Paul Vogel
Keir Gilchrist	...	John Lovett
Ki Hong Lee	...	Gavin Lee / 3401
Thomas Mann	...	Prisoner 416
Ezra Miller	...	Daniel Culp / 8612
Logan Miller	...	Jerry Sherman / 5486
Tye Sheridan	...	Peter Mitchell / 819
Johnny Simmons	...	Jeff Jansen / 1037
James Wolk	...	Mike Penny
Nelsan Ellis	...	Jesse Fletcher
Olivia Thirlby	...	Dr. Christina Maslach

Storyline

In 1971, twenty-four male students are selected to take on randomly assigned roles of prisoners and guards in a mock prison situated in the basement of the Stanford psychology building.

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Plot Keywords:

prisoner | guard | student | prison | psychology | 

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Taglines:

They were given 2 weeks. It lasted 6 days.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language including abusive behavior and some sexual references

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 July 2015 (USA)

Also Known As:

Untitled Stanford Prison Experiment Project

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$37,514, 19 July 2015, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$643,557, 20 September 2015

Company Credits

Production Co:

Coup d'Etat Films,Sandbar Pictures,Abandon Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Keir Gilchrist (Prison Guard John Lovett) and Logan Miller (Prisoner 5486 Jerry Sherman) co-starred in the 2016 film "The Good Neighbour).

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Goofs

When the principal investigator of the experiment speaks with his colleague, the colleague says that he will see him at the beginning of the semester. Stanford does not have semesters; rather, it has a quarter academic calendar.

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Quotes

Daniel Culp: Don't eat that shit.

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Connections

References Cool Hand Luke (1967)

User Reviews

Don't go in for a casual watch

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