The Stanford Prison Experiment

Director Kyle Patrick Alvarez examines a provocative psychological research experiment conducted in August 1971 by Dr. Philip Zimbardo, who randomly divided 24 Stanford University students into prisoners and guards before placing them in an improvised prison in the basement of Jordan Hall, paying each $15 a day to participate. Almost immediately after the volunteers assumed their assigned roles, they began to exhibit behavior that reflected distress, despair, abuse, and degrading sexualized humiliation, proving how situations shape conduct. Taught in journalism classes today, this notorious study offers lessons on questionable methodology/ethics, the frightening pliability of reality, and the effects of power in all its permutations. Billy Crudup stars as the imperious and often patronizing Zimbardo (who later served as an expert witness in one of the Abu Ghraib trials). Ezra Miller delivers a memorable performance as rebellious Prisoner #8612, as does Michael Angarano as a cocky, manipulative guard who adopts a John Wayne persona. The simmering class/race undercurrent is epitomized by Zimbardo's “consultant,” Jesse Fletcher (Nelsan Ellis), an ex-con who spent 17 years in San Quentin. Unfortunately, the narrative carries no backstories about the students—except poor Prisoner #2093 (Chris Sheffield), who was living in his car for the summer—making it hard to emotionally connect. And the muddled third act, which wavers between ambiguity and cautionary oratory, is followed by a bewildering epilogue that seems at odds with the rest of the narrative. Overall, this should still be considered a strong optional purchase. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by director Kyle Patrick Alvarez, the production featurettes “Bringing to Life” (10 min.) and “The Psychology Behind” (3 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for an uneven but often intriguing film.] (S. Granger)