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The Experiment poster

The Experiment (2001)

“You are invited to participate”

7.4/10 · 1,275 votes 2h 0m ThrillerDrama

#27 of 148 films from 2001 #308 of 2475 in thriller

Directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel · Written by Christoph Darnstädt, Mario Giordano, Don Bohlinger

▶ Trailer, images & where to stream

Overview

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.

Cast

Moritz Bleibtreuas Tarek Fahd, Prisoner Nr. 77
Christian Berkelas Robert Steinhoff, Prisoner Nr. 38
Edgar Selgeas Professor Dr. Klaus Thon
Andrea Sawatzkias Dr. Jutta Grimm
Oliver Stokowskias Günther Schütte, Prisoner Nr. 82
Wotan Wilke Möhringas Joe Maier, Prisoner Nr. 69
Justus von Dohnányias Berus
Peter Fieseleras Prisoner Nr. 11
Nicki von Tempelhoffas Kamps
Ralf Mülleras Prisoner Nr. 15
Timo Dierkesas Eckert
Danny Richteras Prisoner Nr. 21
Antoine Monot Jr.as Bosch
Polat Dalas Prisoner Nr. 40

Facts

Release dateMarch 8, 2001
Runtime120 min (2h 0m) — about the same as the 2001 average of 111 min
GenresThriller, Drama
Original titleDas Experiment
LanguageDE
Box office$13,782,896
IMDbtt0250258

More from Oliver Hirschbiegel

DownfallDownfall2004 · ★ 7.9 · 2h 35m The InvasionThe Invasion2007 · ★ 6.1 · 1h 39m DianaDiana2013 · ★ 5.6 · 1h 53m

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Questions

How long is The Experiment?
The Experiment runs 120 minutes (2h 0m).
Is The Experiment worth watching?
TMDB users give it 7.4/10 across 1,275 votes, which places it #27 of 148 films released in 2001 in this index (top 82%) and #308 among 2475 thriller titles.
Who directed The Experiment?
The Experiment was directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel. Other well-rated titles by the same director: Downfall (2004), The Invasion (2007), Diana (2013).
Who stars in The Experiment?
Moritz Bleibtreu as Tarek Fahd, Prisoner Nr. 77; Christian Berkel as Robert Steinhoff, Prisoner Nr. 38; Edgar Selge as Professor Dr. Klaus Thon; Andrea Sawatzki as Dr. Jutta Grimm; Oliver Stokowski as Günther Schütte, Prisoner Nr. 82; Wotan Wilke Möhring as Joe Maier, Prisoner Nr. 69.
Where can I watch the trailer for The Experiment?
Open the title in the MTDb app for trailers, images and streaming links: https://mv.peoplentools.com/titles/39125.

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Film data and images from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings are TMDB user scores as of 2026-10-05.