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.
The movie's central premise -- is well supported in a film whose strength is in its close-ups on characters and its ability to put the viewer in the cell with them.
– Susan Walker,
Toronto Star,
8 Nov 2002
fresh:
Probably it's more action film than anything else, but has enough insight to be of interest to serious filmgoers.
– Ray Conlogue,
Globe and Mail,
8 Nov 2002
fresh:
What impressed me is how effective the movie was, even though the outcome is a foregone conclusion.
– Roger Ebert,
Chicago Sun-Times,
25 Oct 2002
rotten:
An R-rated version of Survivor, Big Brother or any number of reality-TV shows that present voyeurism as entertainment and exploitation as insight.
– Loren King,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Oct 2002
fresh:
Das Experiment may make an obvious point, but it's still a relevant one.