26 men are chosen to participate in the roles of guards and prisoners in a psychological study that ultimately spirals out of control.

For a handsome $1,000-a-day reward, unemployed pacifist Travis decides to take part in a controversial two-week behavioral experiment that will attempt to simulate life within the prison walls. Inside a controlled environment, two hand-picked groups of 20 inmates and six guards must follow a simple set of basic rules while high-tech cameras monitor the entire makeshift jail. However, devoid of their civil rights and their identities, the volunteers soon find themselves dragged into a dangerous and volatile situation as the sadistic warders begin to take extreme pleasure in enforcing their authority. Under those circumstances, Travis, or the rebellious Prisoner #77, needs to explore his limits. How long can he last?—Nick Riganas

Twenty six volunteers are chosen to participate in an experiment: twenty are to play guards and the other six wardens at a prison. The experiment will last two weeks. Among those selected is unemployed Travis who quickly discovers how the experiment explores the worst of human nature.—grantss