Anecdotes

This movie is a remake of a movie (L'Expérience (2001)) based on a book that was inspired by the real-life Stanford prison experiment. Although the experiment's purpose is not explicitly mentioned in the film, the original study was meant to observe the effects of power, rules, group identity and dehumanization in a simulated prison environment. The Stanford prison experiment also employed test subjects as either guards of prisoners, but ended early as both groups took their respective roles too seriously. The experiment will never be redone, because although it was deemed ethical at the time under the later-amended rules of the American Psychiatric Association, any research done must not physically or mentally harm the participants.

Originally made for theaters, but went straight to DVD in the US and most other territories.

Elijah Wood was originally cast, but bowed out after only a few days of shooting.

The bracelet in the left hand of Travis says "Abhay" in Hindi which means "The Fearless".

The original Stanford prison experiment was conducted by Philip Zimbardo.