The Stanford Prison Experiment film

The Stanford Prison Experiment is a 2015 American docudrama psychological thriller directed by Kyle Patrick Alvarez, written by Tim Talbott. The film is based on the real-life 1971 Stanford prison experiment conducted by psychology professor Philip Zimbardo. Eighteen male students were recruited to play roles as prisoners or guards in a mock prison setting at Stanford University's Jordan Hall. Guards became abusive, and two prisoners quit early due to psychological distress. The experiment was halted after six days when Zimbardo's girlfriend, Christina Maslach, intervened.

The project was announced in 2002 but faced delays due to financing issues and the 2007 writers' strike. Production began on August 19, 2014, with Sandbar Pictures and Abandon Pictures financing it. The cast included Billy Crudup, Ezra Miller, Olivia Thirlby, and others. Filming lasted 21 days in Los Angeles.

The film premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival on January 26 and received a limited theatrical release on July 17, 2015. It was well-received by critics, with an 84% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, praising its thought-provoking nature and performances. However, some critics noted its lengthy feel despite its 122-minute runtime.