The Experiment

Volunteers arrive for a psychological study led by Dr. Archaleta. Among them is Travis, a provocative anti-war protester, and Michael Barris, a man who exerts a domineering presence. After initial interviews, 26 participants are selected and moved to an isolated prison setting with 24-hour camera coverage. The group is divided into six guards and 20 prisoners, with Travis assigned as prisoner #77 and Barris as a guard.

Dr. Archaleta explains the strict rules: the experiment will end at the first sign of violence or a quitter. The plan is two weeks long, with each participant paid $14,000 if the rules are followed. The prisoners must obey within designated areas and the guards must enforce discipline, creating a power dynamic that will be tested over time.

Barris expresses concerns that some guards might become violent, trying to deter aggressive behavior early. Despite his caution, the guards gradually push for obedience, and Barris begins to show signs of sadism as he asserts control. The other guards follow his lead, increasing pressure on the prisoners.

Travis takes the role of prisoner #77, and Barris is identified as a guard. Travis's cellmates include Benjy, a graphic novelist, and Nix, a former Aryan Brotherhood member. The early dynamics establish a fragile social order as the prisoners test the guards' willingness to enforce the rules.

Barris orders the abduction of Travis, shaving his head, and subjecting him to urine humiliation. The act is carried out with tacit approval from other guards and is justified by Barris as commensurate with Travis's defiance. Archaleta meanwhile shows no intervention, and guard Bosch hesitates but is pressured to continue.

Benjy falls severely ill after hiding his need for insulin, thinking diet could cure his diabetes. Bosch attempts to help locate insulin but is caught by guards. Barris eventually provides Benjy's insulin to save him, but later orders all guards to beat Bosch and forces Travis to clean the prison toilets.

One morning during roll call, Travis removes his shirt as a protest and climbs toward a surveillance camera, demanding release. The guards choke him, and when Benjy tries to defend him, Barris bludgeons him. The scale of violence escalates as guards lock Travis into an old boiler pipe for the night and cuff every man to the cell doors.

Travis, locked in a boiler pipe overnight, discovers a hidden infrared camera. He uses the moment to stage an escape, interrupting a guard's attempt to rape a prisoner. He and the other prisoners overwhelm the guards and free the remaining inmates, though Benjy dies from a head injury in the struggle.

Travis leads a bold assault against the guards, chasing them through the prison as the remaining guards scramble for escape. Barris fights to retain control, urging the others to stay. In the climactic confrontation, Travis stops Barris's stab with his bare hand and then defeats him as the door finally gives way.

With the guards overwhelmed, the prisoners emerge into bright sunlight and stand in silence on the grass as a bus approaches. The moment marks the nominal end of the study, though the ethical fallout is clearly brewing. Travis collects his payment as the group leaves the prison behind.

Audio snippets and later reporting reveal that Dr. Archaleta faces manslaughter charges related to Benjy's death, casting doubt on the study's design and oversight. The public and participants alike question whether the researchers fully understood the consequences of power and dehumanization. The film emphasizes accountability for the actions within the experiment.

Having received his payment, Travis travels to India to meet his girlfriend, seeking relief from the trauma of the experiment. The final moments frame his escape from the site as a personal pursuit of healing, leaving his future uncertain. The narrative closes with the contrast between brutality endured and the hope of personal connection.