Experimenter

In select theaters
October 16^th 2015

Opening at Opera Plaza October 23^rd 2015

pg13

98 minutes

English

Yale University, 1961. Stanley Milgram (Peter Sarsgaard) designs a psychology experiment that remains relevant to this day, in which people think they’re delivering painful electric shocks to an affable stranger (Jim Gaffigan) strapped into a chair in another room. Disregarding his pleas for mercy, the majority of subjects do not stop the experiment, administering what they think are near-fatal electric shocks, simply because they’ve been told to. With Nazi Adolf Eichmann’s trial airing in living rooms across America, Milgram’s exploration of authority and conformity strikes a nerve in popular culture and the scientific community. Celebrated in some circles, he is also accused of being a deceptive, manipulative monster. His wife Sasha (Winona Ryder) anchors him through it all. EXPERIMENTER invites us inside Milgram’s whirring mind in this bracing portrait of a brilliant man whose conscience and creative spirit continue to be resonant, poignant, and inspirational.

starring...

Peter Sarsgaard

Stanley Milgram

Winona Ryder

Sasha Milgram

Jim Gaffigan

James McDonough

Edoardo Ballerini

Paul Hollander

Kellen Lutz

William Shatner

Director, Writer, Producer

Michael Almereyda

Producer

Uri Singer, Fabio Golombek

Cinematographer

Ryan Samul

Editor

Kathryn J. Shubert

Costume Designer

Kama Royz

Production Designer

Deana Sidney

80% on the CINEMETER

STL

79% - Nov 1, 2015

Very fascinating approach to telling the story of the experiment. The behavior became the star, as we really learned very little of the experimenter himself.
St. Louis Member

Disturbing, fascinating. Very well made as a film. The experiments by Milgram raise serious and troubling oral and ethical questions. More valuable as a basis for philosophical discussion than as "entertainment>"
St. Louis Member

Fascinating. Makes you think about why the human race isn't worse off than it is.
St. Louis Member

I remember reading about Milgram's obedience experiments in school. The results were fascinating then, and seeing it dramatized makes it more impactful. It isn't surprising that people are hostile to what he uncovered, but it is important to be aware of "choice" in every decision he made. Relying on "ethics" to debunk his findings or to keep such experiments from going on is, in my opinion, just an attempt to distance oneself from unpleasant results, to avoid the unpleasantness of human behavior.
St. Louis Member

MIL

92% - Oct 25, 2015

The director made some interesting choices that often helped to clarify and direct my attention. Some films say as much about the viewer as they do about the subject that they explore.
Milwaukee Member

Very unsettling. Peter Sarsgaard was superb. Jim Gaffigan was magnificent support. Good to see Anthony Edwards and Winona Ryder again. I hope this paves the way for their return to quality films. The question of ethics is paramount in todays' world.
Milwaukee Member

72% - Oct 25, 2015

A thought-provoking film that was both entertaining and educational. Loved how it was made - seemed like a play at times. Sarsgaard is always great! [Note: lots of praise for Sarsgaard; less for Ryder.]
Greater New Haven Member

Absolutely brilliant! Sly, funny, sad, horrible, and still amazingly revelatory after all these years. I loved the stylized, hyper-strange over the top visuals, including being addressed by Milgram directly.
Greater New Haven Member

Smart film about obedience and about the film experience. So, is cinema - illusion - as cruel as the experiments? And if the illusion is cruel, is it a necessary step toward liberation?
Greater New Haven Member

76% - Oct 11, 2015

An artful biopic that distinguishes itself by letting the ideas, not the person, drive the narrative and the creative visual style - but still manages to connect us to the characters through Saarsgard and Ryder's performances.
San Francisco Member

Highly intelligent and thorough in its presentation of the subject matter. Great, imaginative, creative storytelling.
San Francisco Member

Original in subject matter and film craft, with enough depth and ambiguity that I will be thinking about it for a long time.
San Francisco Member

This is why I love the Cinema Club.
San Francisco Member

I was in a college class in the late 70's when Dan White committed the double murder at City Hall. My teacher said that the ability to commit such acts is in all of us. I find that hard to believe...and then we see this movie. Human nature is beautiful and horrible. Thank for such an eye-opening movie - excellent.
San Francisco Member

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