The Experiment

As part of a psychological research project, 20 recruits will be divided up into prisoners and guards. In a controlled penitentiary-like environment, "Prisoners" are incarcerated and ordered to obey the rules, "Guards" are instructed to keep order. Tarek (Moritz Bleibtreu), an ex-journalist, is intrigued by the idea of going undercover for the experiment, positive the ensuing interactions will provide his editor with a fascinating story. At first, the prisoners treat their roles with detached humor and playfulness, and the guards treat theirs with nervous unease. But within hours, small conflicts and petty disputes force all twenty men deeper into their assigned roles. As these trivial skirmishes quickly escalate, the guards must explore any possible means to keep the prisoners in line.