Netflix faces backlash for recreating infamous 1971 prison project | The IndependentJump to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.Subscribe`; document.body.appendChild(modal); modal.addEventListener('click', () => { document.cookie = 'mos-plan-select=; Max-Age=0; path=/; expires=Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 UTC;'; }); modal.querySelector('.subscribe-link')?.addEventListener('click', (e) => { e.preventDefault(); document.cookie = 'mos-plan-select=; Max-Age=0; path=/; expires=Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 UTC;'; setTimeout(() => { window.location.href = 'https://www.independent.co.uk/subscribe/app'; }, 500); });});]]>Tom MurrayWednesday 16 September 2026 12:32 BSTRelated: Unlocked - A Jail Experiment trailerNetflix has reportedly commissioned a new reality series titled The New Stanford Prison Experiment, set to premiere on 21 October with six 45-minute episodes involving 30 participants assigned as guards or prisoners.The upcoming show has drawn significant online backlash and disbelief, with social media users expressing concern over recreating a project historically renowned for severe ethical failures.The original 1971 experiment led by Dr Philip Zimbardo was abandoned after just six days when participants acting as guards became psychologically abusive and subjected mock inmates to severe degradation and sleep deprivation.Zimbardo faced substantial criticism for participating as the prison superintendent rather than maintaining an objective stance, prompting modern ethics committees to ban research causing undue distress.The new series aims to re-examine themes of power, hierarchy, and human empathy, testing whether ordinary people inevitably succumb to systemic corruption when thrust into positions of control.In fullNetflix faces criticism over ethics of new Stanford Prison Experiment reality seriesMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in