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IMDbPro

The Stanford Prison Experiment

  • 20152015
  • RR
  • 2h 2m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
42K
YOUR RATING
The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015)
It is the summer of 1971. Dr. Philip Zimbardo launches a study on the psychology of imprisonment. Twenty-four male undergraduates are randomly assigned to be either a guard or a prisoner. Set in a simulated jail, the project unfolds. The participants rapidly embody their roles -- the guards become power-hungry and sadistic, while the prisoners, subject to degradation, strategize as underdogs. It soon becomes clear that, as Zimbardo and team monitor the escalation of action through surveillance cameras, they are not fully aware of how they, too, have become part of the experiment.
Play trailer2:31
2 Videos
66 Photos
  • Biography
  • Drama
  • History
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.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.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.
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
42K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Kyle Patrick Alvarez
  • Writers
    • Tim Talbott
    • Philip Zimbardo(based on the book "The Lucifer Effect")
  • Stars
    • Ezra Miller
    • Tye Sheridan
    • Billy Crudup
Top credits
  • Director
    • Kyle Patrick Alvarez
  • Writers
    • Tim Talbott
    • Philip Zimbardo(based on the book "The Lucifer Effect")
  • Stars
    • Ezra Miller
    • Tye Sheridan
    • Billy Crudup
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 120User reviews
    • 89Critic reviews
    • 67Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 3 nominations

    Videos2

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:31
    Official Trailer
    Exclusive Clip
    Clip 0:56
    Exclusive Clip

    Photos66

    Michael Angarano, Chris Sheffield, Brett Davern, Johnny Simmons, Ezra Miller, Ki Hong Lee, and Tye Sheridan in The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015)
    Michael Angarano, Chris Sheffield, Brett Davern, Johnny Simmons, Logan Miller, Ezra Miller, Jesse Carere, and Tye Sheridan in The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015)
    Kyle Patrick Alvarez in The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015)
    Kyle Patrick Alvarez, Gaius Charles, James Wolk, Matt Bennett, and James Frecheville in The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015)
    Kyle Patrick Alvarez in The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015)
    Michael Angarano, Chris Sheffield, Brett Davern, Johnny Simmons, Logan Miller, Ezra Miller, Tye Sheridan, and Jack Kilmer in The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015)
    Billy Crudup at an event for The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015)
    Ezra Miller at an event for The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015)
    Olivia Thirlby at an event for The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015)
    Philip Zimbardo at an event for The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015)
    Tye Sheridan at an event for The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015)
    Kyle Patrick Alvarez at an event for The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ezra Miller
    Ezra Miller
    • Daniel Culp…
    Tye Sheridan
    Tye Sheridan
    • Peter Mitchell…
    Billy Crudup
    Billy Crudup
    • Dr. Philip Zimbardo
    Olivia Thirlby
    Olivia Thirlby
    • Dr. Christina Maslach
    Michael Angarano
    Michael Angarano
    • Christopher Archer
    Moises Arias
    Moises Arias
    • Anthony Carroll
    Nicholas Braun
    Nicholas Braun
    • Karl Vandy
    Gaius Charles
    Gaius Charles
    • Paul Vogel
    Keir Gilchrist
    Keir Gilchrist
    • John Lovett
    Ki Hong Lee
    Ki Hong Lee
    • Gavin Lee…
    Thomas Mann
    Thomas Mann
    • Prisoner 416
    Logan Miller
    Logan Miller
    • Jerry Sherman…
    Johnny Simmons
    Johnny Simmons
    • Jeff Jansen…
    James Wolk
    James Wolk
    • Mike Penny
    Nelsan Ellis
    Nelsan Ellis
    • Jesse Fletcher
    Matt Bennett
    Matt Bennett
    • Kyle Parker
    Jesse Carere
    Jesse Carere
    • Paul Beattie…
    Brett Davern
    Brett Davern
    • Hubbie Whitlow…
    • Director
      • Kyle Patrick Alvarez
    • Writers
      • Tim Talbott
      • Philip Zimbardo(based on the book "The Lucifer Effect")
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Although never mentioned in the movie, the real life experiment was funded by the U.S. Office of Naval Research and was of interest to both the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps as an investigation into the causes of conflict between military guards and prisoners.
    • Goofs
      When Dr. Zimbardo 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.
    • Quotes

      Daniel Culp: I know you're a nice guy.

      Christopher Archer: So why do you hate me?

      Daniel Culp: Because I know what you can become.

    • Connections
      Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Creepiest Historic Events That Are Scarier than Horror Movies (2020)

    User reviews120

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Prison...Indeed
    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.
    helpful•20
    5
    • mattsteele-54636
    • Dec 2, 2016

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 17, 2015 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Untitled Stanford Prison Experiment Project
    • Filming locations
      • Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Coup d'Etat Films
      • Sandbar Pictures
      • Abandon Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $660,561
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $37,514
      • Jul 19, 2015
    • Gross worldwide
      • $663,114
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 2 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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