7.5/10 [HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!]
A fantastic, gripping and disturbing psychological thriller that shows you the danger that hides behind the dark side of human nature
[warning: this film has violence, nudity and some disturbing situations...]
Das Experiment (The Experiment) is a German film that is based on the infamous "Stanford Prison Experiment" conducted in 1971 and the novel "Black Box". A makeshift prison is set up in a research lab, complete with cells, bars and surveillance cameras. For two weeks 20 male participants are hired to play prisoners and guards. The film is more exaggerated than the actual experiment that took place. (imdb)
Das Experiment captures the brutality, violence and humiliation that occurs when you put people in an evil place. The film is intense and very violent, demonstrating how ordinary people when put into certain situations can change.
The movie starts off with Tarek Fahd (Moritz Bleibtreu) who joins a paid experiment where participants get paid at the end for a 14 day prison experiment. However, as people are assigned their roles and begin the trial the terror and chaos begins. Fahd is assigned to be a "prisoners" and he began by taking the experiment as a game and teased the guards. However, when the guards found ways to restore their authority over the prison rebellion and fear followed.
Das Experiment puts human nature and emotions under the microscope by toying with the themes of trust, conscience, alliance, retaliation, power and the divide between right & wrong. When the roles given to the participants are taken too far, the makeshift prison became real. This film also questions what happens when someone has too much power and their response as a result. It will make you question how you would respond if you were put into the same situation.
The acting is superb! Moritz Bleibtreu is superb in the lead role, taking us along the journey of the 14 days experiment. Every situation is played out perfectly and realistically. I felt myself trying (but at times failing) to understand the mindset of each and every character.
A shocking but amazing thriller! Highly recommended for those who enjoy psychological thrillers but can withstand the disturbing nature of the film.
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