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The Experiment

2001·Movie
2h 0min

Where to watch

No stream option in US yet.

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

The Experiment fingerprint

Relentless energy, strong craft, emotionally cool.

Energy

Nerve-racking and brutally violent

Fast from start to finish.

  • Tension9
  • Violence9
  • Adrenaline8

Heart

Cathartic

  • Catharsis7
  • Pathos6
  • Melancholy5

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Dark Humor4
  • Satire & Parody3
  • Wit & Wordplay2

World

Everyday modern life, the mind, and society

  • World Immersion7
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Novelty7

Craft

Standout direction, performances, and characters

  • Direction8
  • Acting8
  • Character Depth8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightSolo WatchThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You need an uplifting moodGraphic violence bothers you

Find more like it

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

You are invited to participate

20 volunteers agree to take part in a seemingly well-paid experiment advertised by the university. It is supposed to be about aggressive behavior in an artificial prison situation. A journalist senses a story behind the ad and smuggles himself in among the test subjects. They are randomly divided into prisoners and guards. What seems like a game at the beginning soon turns into bloody seriousness.
Psychological ThrillerPrison ExperimentSocial CommentaryTense & DisturbingCharacter-DrivenMoral DilemmaBleak & UnflinchingGritty RealismHigh Stakes

Crew

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

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Questions about The Experiment

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Experiment legally?

GoodWatch doesn't know of a legal streaming option for The Experiment in the United States right now. Pick another country in the Where to Watch section to check elsewhere.

Is The Experiment worth watching?

71
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 72/100 (IMDb 7.7, Rotten Tomatoes 72%, and Metacritic 59). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Experiment rated?

ViolenceStrong languageDisturbing imagery

Content advisories: violence, strong language, and disturbing imagery.

How long is The Experiment?

2 h 0 min

The Experiment runs 2 h 0 min.

Is The Experiment based on a true story?

No. It's adapted from a novel.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Experiment?

Critics66
Audiences79

Not quite. Audiences rate The Experiment higher (79) than critics (66). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

What language is The Experiment in?

German

It was made in German. Produced in Germany.

What tropes does The Experiment use?

Artistic License – HistoryStanford Prison ExperimentPipe Pain

TV Tropes lists 3 storytelling tropes for The Experiment, including Artistic License – History, Stanford Prison Experiment, Pipe Pain.