The Experiment
The movie is based on the infamous "Stanford Prison Experiment" conducted in 1971. 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 'prisoners' are locked up and have to follow seemingly mild rules, and the 'guards' are told simply to retain order without using physical violence. Everybody is free to quit at any time, thereby forfeiting payment. In the beginning the mood between both groups is insecure and rather emphatic. But soon quarrels arise and the wardens employ ever more drastic sanctions to confirm their authority.
The film earned $13.8M at the global box office.
14 wins & 14 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Experiment (2001) exemplifies precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Oliver Hirschbiegel's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 14-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Tarek is a taxi driver and journalist living an ordinary life, unemployed and financially struggling, going about his routine work in Berlin.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Tarek and the other participants are randomly assigned roles as either prisoners or guards, stripping them of their identities and establishing the power dynamic that will drive the story.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 30 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to The first major abuse of power: guards begin humiliating prisoners with push-ups and degrading punishments. Tarek actively chooses to resist and rebel, establishing himself as the prisoner who will not submit, crossing into open conflict., moving from reaction to action.
At 60 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat False defeat: a prisoner has a psychological breakdown and requires medical attention, but the scientists refuse to stop the experiment. The guards realize they have nearly unlimited power and the prisoners realize no one is coming to save them., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 91 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, A prisoner dies during a brutal punishment session. The "whiff of death" becomes literal. The experiment has transformed into actual imprisonment and murder, and the facility is in lockdown with no way out., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 96 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Violent uprising as prisoners fight guards for survival. Outside help arrives. Bloody confrontation as the power structure completely collapses. The experiment ends in chaos, death, and trauma rather than scientific conclusion., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Experiment's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 14 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping The Experiment against these established plot points, we can identify how Oliver Hirschbiegel utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Experiment within the drama genre.
Oliver Hirschbiegel's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Oliver Hirschbiegel films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.2, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Experiment represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Oliver Hirschbiegel filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Oliver Hirschbiegel analyses, see Diana, The Invasion and Downfall.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Tarek is a taxi driver and journalist living an ordinary life, unemployed and financially struggling, going about his routine work in Berlin.
Theme
During the experiment briefing, a scientist states that this study will examine how ordinary people behave when given power and stripped of identity - exploring whether evil is inherent or situational.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Tarek's world: his strained relationship with his girlfriend Dora, his need for money, meeting other participants, and the screening process for the prison experiment study offering 4000 marks for two weeks.
Disruption
Tarek and the other participants are randomly assigned roles as either prisoners or guards, stripping them of their identities and establishing the power dynamic that will drive the story.
Resistance
The experiment begins with rules explained: prisoners must obey guards, guards must maintain order without violence. Initial tensions emerge as personalities clash, and the first small power plays begin. Tarek hides a camera to document the study.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The first major abuse of power: guards begin humiliating prisoners with push-ups and degrading punishments. Tarek actively chooses to resist and rebel, establishing himself as the prisoner who will not submit, crossing into open conflict.
Mirror World
Scenes with Dora outside the experiment serve as the thematic counterpoint - representing freedom, love, normalcy, and human connection in contrast to the dehumanization occurring inside the prison simulation.
Premise
The "prison movie" the audience came for: escalating psychological warfare between guards and prisoners, creative acts of rebellion from Tarek, increasing brutality from lead guard Berus, and growing concern from some participants that things are going too far.
Midpoint
False defeat: a prisoner has a psychological breakdown and requires medical attention, but the scientists refuse to stop the experiment. The guards realize they have nearly unlimited power and the prisoners realize no one is coming to save them.
Opposition
Systematic brutalization: guards implement increasingly sadistic punishments, prisoners are forced into degrading acts, some guards who resist are turned against, and the situation spirals into genuine violence. The scientists lose control as observers.
Collapse
A prisoner dies during a brutal punishment session. The "whiff of death" becomes literal. The experiment has transformed into actual imprisonment and murder, and the facility is in lockdown with no way out.
Crisis
Horror and despair as prisoners and some guards realize they're trapped in a genuine nightmare. Tarek is broken and tortured. The thin veneer of "experiment" is completely gone. This is now a survival situation.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Violent uprising as prisoners fight guards for survival. Outside help arrives. Bloody confrontation as the power structure completely collapses. The experiment ends in chaos, death, and trauma rather than scientific conclusion.
Transformation
Tarek, traumatized and changed, emerges from the facility. The closing image shows him broken and hollow - the ordinary man from the opening is gone, replaced by someone who has witnessed and experienced the darkness humans are capable of.