The Stanford Prison Experiment
Studio: IFC Films
Directed by Kyle Patrick Alvarez
Jul 14, 2015
Web Exclusive
In 1971, Stanford psychology professor Dr. Philip Zimbardo embarked on a controversial study of the psychological effects of imprisonment. He enlisted 24 college-age males with the promise of $15 a day; each was assigned the role of guard or prisoner in simulated prison built in the university’s basement. The unexpected results of the experiment went down in infamy, as “normal” young men were transformed into sadistic tormentors—the guards—or broken souls—the prisoners—in a matter of days.
Director Kyle Patrick Alvarez and writer Tim Talbot consulted with Zimbardo on their thrilling dramatization of the experiment. The result is an incredibly tense indie with strong performances across the entire ensemble—a who’s who of great, young male actors, including Ezra Miller, Tye Sheridan, Thomas Mann, and Jack Kilmer. Billy Crudup is practically devilish as Zimbardo—but almost has to be portrayed that way, given the anguish we watch him put these boys through.
Author rating: 7/10
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