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Poster for The Stanford Prison Experiment

The Stanford Prison Experiment

Seen it?

2015 | 122 min | Thriller, Drama, History

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (84% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing and history buffs. If you loved Chopper or Lost Highway, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Tense.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 2 min.
What might put you off
Rated R: meant for adults.

In 1971, Stanford's Professor Philip Zimbardo conducts a controversial psychology experiment in which college students pretend to be either prisoners or guards, but the proceedings soon get out of hand. Based on a true story.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    84% on Rotten Tomatoes, 67 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.8 out of 10

  • AwardsBelow par

    2 wins and 1 nomination from smaller awards and festivals

  • Box office & staying powerWeak

    $661K worldwide

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 106K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Kyle Patrick Alvarez

  • Billy CrudupDr. Philip Zimbardo
  • Michael AngaranoChristopher Archer
  • Ezra MillerDaniel Culp / Prisoner 8612
  • Tye SheridanPeter Mitchell / Prisoner 819
  • Olivia ThirlbyDr. Christina Maslach
  • Nelsan EllisJesse Fletcher
  • Moisés AriasAnthony Carroll
  • Nicholas BraunKarl Vandy
  • Gaius CharlesPaul Vogel
  • Keir GilchristJohn Lovett