Das Experiment

Das Experiment (The Experiment) is a German film directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel and based on a true story.

It's not a horror film, dystopia or really even a thriller but it is appalling, disgusting and disturbing. Especially seeing as it's based on an actual event.

If you're interested in mental conditioning or psychological behaviour, particularly in extreme conditions then I recommend watching it. At first everything starts out as a bit of a joke but eventually the tension rises, power struggles ensue and people start realising it's not a game anymore. Then it all starts to get out of hand.

The Stanford Prison Experiment was conducted in 1971 at Stanford University as a study of the psychological effects of being a guard or prisoner. Twenty four undergraduates were then selected to be either guard or prisoner by way of a coin toss.

The experiment was performed in a 'prison' built in the University basement where the participants would live for two weeks. After things escalating to the point of psychological trauma, physical danger and participants having to drop out early the experiment was cancelled after six days.

To learn more about the Standford Prison Experiment click here.