Experimenter

Directed by Michael Almereyda

PG-13

2015 1h 37mDrama, History,

6.685%61%6.5

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Experimenter is based on the true story of famed social psychologist Stanley Milgram, who in 1961 conducted a series of radical behavior experiments that tested ordinary humans' willingness to obey by using electric shock. We follow Milgram, from meeting his wife Sasha through his controversial experiments that sparked public outcry.

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Cast of Experimenter

Peter SarsgaardStanley Milgram
Winona RyderAlexandra "Sasha" Milgram
Jim GaffiganJames McDonough
Edoardo BalleriniPaul Hollander
John PalladinoJohn Williams
Kellan LutzWilliam Shatner
Dennis HaysbertOssie Davis
Danny A. AbeckaserBraverman / Producer
Taryn ManningMrs. Lowe
Anthony EdwardsMiller
Lori SingerFlorence Asch
Josh HamiltonTom Shannon
Anton YelchinRensaleer
Adriana RandallMrs. Stein
Donnie KeshawarzBruno
Michael SiberryGeorge Bellak
Ned EisenbergSolomon Asch
John LeguizamoTaylor
Harley WareAlan Elms
Jason BlackSasha's Suitor
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Experimenter Ratings & Reviews

RazorbitzOctober 2, 2025
The experimenter is not the worst film I've ever seen, but it irked me. I wouldn't recommend this if you want a serious look into Milgram's work. It has some interesting elements but gets a bit caught up smelling its own farts. I found this film a frustrating attempt at elevating material that didn't need it--squandering in the process compelling threads of narrative for what I can only politely describe as the pretentious film equivalent of a sparknotes summary. There is a point in this film where it makes an effort to point and laugh at the ridiculous first attempt at exploring the original Milgram experiment in the 70s. One has to wonder at the self-awareness of the perpetual smirk this film seems to wear, clown show that it is. Just look at that beard! If you're like me, you might find yourself at first intrigued by the first 30 minutes before the film goes in a hurried direction away from anything remotely interesting. What doesn't work, but is of some note, is how The Experimenter restricts itself like that of a stageplay. Greenscreens handled like projectors to set a scene, and cheap wigs and beards and outfits nakedly fake, splintered between real locations and soundstages in a way that at first is charming. Along with the odd Ferris Bueller-style narration, this approach fails to alight the imagination and just ends up feeling cheap. The parodoxically rushed yet plodding pacing provides a sense of someone skimming through a biography, rushing to the end and missing what makes the work compelling. Doodles found in the margins of an uninspired book report. To its credit, there is some attempt at highlighting Milgram's other experiments that so often go overshadowed, but these are often abandoned for the next topic some years or decades after, our only anchor being whether or not that vile abomination of a beard is present. I would call the film experimental, but that would imply something new was being tried here. You watch enough movies you've seen these tricks all before and done better. Its almost impressive by how unaffecting the resulting film is.

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Experimenter Trivia

Experimenter was released on October 16, 2015.

Experimenter was directed by Michael Almereyda.

Experimenter has a runtime of 1 hr 37 min.

Experimenter was produced by Danny A. Abeckaser, Michael Almereyda, Fabio Golombek, Per Melita, Isen Robbins, Aimee Schoof, Uri Singer.

The key characters in Experimenter are Stanley Milgram (Peter Sarsgaard), Alexandra "Sasha" Milgram (Winona Ryder), James McDonough (Jim Gaffigan).

Experimenter is rated PG-13.

Experimenter is a Drama, History, Biography film.

Experimenter has an audience rating of 6.1 out of 10.

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