Credit: Netflix

Netflix is reimagining Philip Zimbardo’s notorious 1971 cautionary tale in a new unscripted series, The New Stanford Experiment, with one crucial question taking centre stage: “Does power corrupt?”

The questions surrounding authority, submission, and human nature remain as urgent and relevant today as they were 50 years ago, making the series an ask of the hour.

Although The New Stanford Prison Experiment rebuilds one of the most morally contentious experiments in behavioural science, Netflix ensures new safeguards, a mixed-gender cast and expert oversight that were missing originally, with 30 real participants willingly entering a real prison and being assigned the roles of guards or prisoners.

For those curious already, here’s a rundown of everything known so far about the new-age Stanford Prison Experiment.

What is it about?

Stanford psychologist Philip Zimbardo conducted an ethically fraught experiment with all-male college students in 1971, where they were all randomly assigned as guards and prisoners, which came to be known as the infamous Stanford Prison Experiment.

Although the experiment was originally planned for one to two weeks, it all went haywire within just six days. Yet, the question the experiment raised remains relevant today, which brings viewers to The New Stanford Prison Experiment. The show reimagines the study with meticulously updated safety measures.

Executive producer Jane Lipsitz explains to Tudum, “Anyone can see we’re living in a moment where we are constantly confronting questions about authority, conformity, group identity, and the systems that divide us.”

“It felt like the right time to revisit that question with a new generation and ask whether power inevitably changes us — or whether we’re capable of resisting the roles, the rules and the systems we’re placed into.”

How were participants selected?

While the original study focused on male students, the updated version has participants spanning not only gender and geography, but also political conviction, socioeconomic background, and life experiences.

“For us, casting a much wider net was fundamental to the legitimacy of the experiment,” Jane Lipsitz says. “The addition of women felt crucial to us as well because of the important dialogue around gender politics and power, and we would have been remiss if we didn’t take a look at that as part of this version.”

What safety measures have been taken?

According to Netflix, series participants were urged to make informed decisions before willingly participating in the experiment, and they underwent a psychological screening. In addition to placing protective guardrails everywhere and constant surveillance, participants had a safe word to use at any time and could consult psychologists 24/7.

Who are the experts?

The experts in The New Stanford Prison Experiment also come from diverse backgrounds, including Alison Wood Brooks, a behavioural psychologist at Harvard, Trymaine Lee, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, and Michael Cantrell, a veteran federal corrections professional with nearly three decades of experience.

Is there a trailer?

Indeed! Intrigued viewers can check out the trailer for The New Stanford Experiment below.

When does The New Stanford Prison Experiment release on Netflix?

The New Stanford Prison Experiment hits Netflix shelves on October 21st with all six episodes.