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The 20 Best Movies About Human Experiments

A relatively common trope in horror films and psychological thrillers, the concept of human experiments is truly horrific due to the realities of their existence. From World War II Nazi experiments to the birth of psychology field testing, the implantation of testing humans has resulted in a lot of suffering, but also a lot of knowledge about human behavior.

Therefore, the of human experimentation often results in two sides – that the overall good of knowledge counterbalances anything bad that can come out of the experiment, which is the mentality commonly seen in the experimenter, and the counterargument that nothing good can come out of anything bad is generally led by the subjects or victims.

From 1930’s Frankenstein to 1960’s French science fiction to today’s exploitation of horror films as seen in the “Saw” and “Human Centipede” franchises, the theme has had a long tradition.

20. Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS (1975)

Don Edmonds’ endeavour into the nazisploitation genre follows Ilsa (Dyanne Thorne), a Kommandant of a Nazi prison camp. She conducts sadistic scientific experiments to fellow women in order to prove to the higher ranked officers that women are more capable of enduring pain than men are, and therefore should be allowed to fight in the German armed forces, since the Nazi military are in dire need of reinforcements.

Besides torturing women, every night she chooses male prisoners and rapes them and after she finishes with them, she castrates and kills them.

Even though the film is not for the light-hearted and extremely exploitative (hence nazisploitation), the sex-addicted sadist Ilsa is patterned after real-life murderous female Nazi camp personnel Ilse Koch and Irma Grese.

Before the film begins, there is a notice saying: “The film you are about to see is based on documented fact. The atrocities shown were conducted as ‘medical experiments’ in special concentration camps throughout Hitler’s Third Reich.

Although these crimes against humanity are historically accurate, the characters depicted are composites of notorious Nazi personalities; and the events portrayed, have been condensed into one locality for dramatic purposes. Because of its shocking subject matter, this film is restricted to adult audiences only. We dedicate this film with the hope that these heinous crimes will never happen again.”

The film was followed by three sexploitation sequels, Ilsa, Harem Keeper of the Oil Sheiks (1976), Ilsa, the Wicked Warden (1977) and Ilsa, the Tigress of Siberia (1977).

19. Re-Animator (1985)

Stuart Gordon’s science fiction horror comedy loosely based on the H. P. Lovecraft episodic novella “Herbert West–Reanimator” follows Herbert West (Jeffrey Combs), a medical student, as he successfully brings his dead professor back to life, but finds that there are horrible side-effects which end up re-killing Gruber.

West moves away to continue his experiments with the help of fellow medical student, Dan Cain (Bruce Abbott), as they try convince the University’s Dean, Dr. Alan Halsey (Robert Sampson), about the possibilities of reanimation of the dead.

Originally, Gordon was going to adapt Lovecraft’s story for the stage, and then planned to make a half-hour television pilot, and then reformatted the pilot and the twelve episodes which were planned to follow to be maximized to an hour.

Eventually they decided on making a standard film since the majority of the horror fan bases were found to watch films more than television. Gordon and his writers, Dennis Paoli and William Norris, also intended it to be a period piece at the beginning of the 20th Century, but found it to be too over-budget and hence landed on adapting it to modern-day Chicago.

The fast pace, deadpan humour and bloody special-effects led to the integration of B-grade thrillers, surrealist art and 80s comedy and to an overall cult classic.

18. The Boys from Brazil (1978)

Franklin J. Schaffner’s British-American science fiction thriller based on the novel of the same name by Ira Levin follows young Barry Kohler (Steve Guttenberg) and retired Nazi hunter Ezra Lieberman (Laurence Olivier) as they track down a secret organization of Third Reich war criminals, including the infamous Dr. Josef Mengele (Gregory Peck), the infamous Auschwitz doctor, who are, themselves, tracking down 94 seemingly random men in different countries, including Austria, Germany, Denmark, Great Britain, the United States, and kill them.

Lieberman follows Kohler’s leads and begins travelling to investigate the suspicious deaths of these men. He meets their widows and is astonished to find an eerie resemblance in their adopted, black-haired, blue-eyed sons, who all have similar mannerisms despite being from different places and speaking various languages.

Lieberman also discovers strange similarities with regards to the assassinated men’s cold attitudes towards the boy, the mother’s affectionate bond, and the ages of the parents during the time of adoption. The reason behind the uncanny resemblance is astoundingly chilling as Schaffner utilises iconic actors to tell an original tale that reimagines history and questions the “what if” attitudes of World War II.

The film gained three Academy Award nominations in the following categories – Best Actor (Laurence Olivier), Film Editing (Robert Swink) and for Original Score (Jerry Goldsmith). Gregory Peck was also recognised at the Golden Globes, earning a nomination for Best Actor is a Drama.

17. The Sylvian Experiments (2010)

Hiroshi Takahashi’s Japanese horror follows two sisters, Miyuki and Kaori, who are daughters of two neurosurgeons, Etsuko Ōta and Yukio. They all see a documentary of a secret experiment where the Japanese, Manchu, and Russian subjects’ temporal lobes are electrified until the subjects are strangely able to project a blinding white light.

Years later, Etsuko plans on conducting a similar experiment and recruits her daughter, Miyuki, as well as others to commit mass suicide assisted by Etsuko’s assistant, Hattori, as part of their initiation into the experiment. Miyuki wakes up inside a facility and is told that she has died and is currently astral projecting.

After having lost contact with her sister for six months, Kaori tracks down her last movements as she sees and talks to her in her dreams. Soon, her mother takes Kaori to the facility to learn about the experiment.

Etsuko reveals that she and Kaori have always wanted to become enlightened by the true reality beyond the current one in order to achieve a spiritual evolution. Takahashi, known as a screenwriter of “Ring”, once again utilises the source of thought through video since the documentary they initially saw sparked off their quest for enlightenment through experimentation.

16. Exam (2009)

Stuart Hazeldine’s psychological thriller, set in a parallel version of present-time United Kingdom, follow eight candidates as they sit for an employment assessment exam for the company, DATAPREV.

The Invigilator explains that the exam is 80 minutes and consists of only one question, but there are three rules that if broken, lead to disqualification. They must not talk to him or the armed guard at the door, they must not “spoil” their paper, and they must not leave the room. Each desk contains a question paper with the word “candidate”, followed by a number, from one to eight.

Set in real time, the exam begins and it is revealed that the papers are blank. One candidate is immediately disqualified, leaving the remaining seven – nicknamed Black, White, Brown, Dark, Blonde, Brunette, and Deaf – referring to their skin and hair colours, to realize that they can talk to each other and work together.

“White”, who is arrogant and rude, takes control of the group as they try to figure out how to reveal any hidden questions on the paper. The group manipulates tricks and uses each other in hopes of their disqualification. The scenario soon becomes dangerous, but they cannot talk to the armed guard or the invigilator for help.

Nominated for a BAFTA for Outstanding Debut, Hazeldine’s film makes incredible use of a single location, a few actors, and a tense countdown clock to the end of the exam, and subsequently, the end of the film. With multiple twists and turns, one wonders what job could be so important for such a chillingly claustrophobic interview, and Hazeldine does not disappoint.

15. Dead Ringers (1998)

David Cronenberg’s psychological thriller based on the lives of Stewart and Cyril Marcus and on Bari Wood and Jack Geasland’s novel “Twins”, follow Elliot and Beverly Mantle (both played by Jeremy Irons) who are identical twins and gynecologists who specialise in female fertility treatment.

The more confident and cynical of the two, Elliot, seduces women patients and when he eventually gets bored of them, passes them off to the shy and passive Beverly, without the women even realising that they have switched.

However, soon Beverly gets a girl by himself, Claire Niveau (Genevieve Bujold), who realises the difference between the two brothers.

The two become close, but she soon leaves town for work, sending Beverly into a depressive episode and leading him to abuse prescription drugs, become slave to paranoid delusions and see “mutant women” with abnormal genitalia. He must “fix” these women and commissions metallurgical artist Anders Wolleck to create a set of strange gynecological instruments specifically for operating on these fictional, mutant women.

Cronenberg, who is a master of body horror, is no stranger to graphic imagery and psychological dishevelling. Another film of his which could fall under this list is “The Fly” (1986), which follows Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum), an eccentric scientist who has just successfully managed to create a teleportation device, and is anxious to use it himself.

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The 13 Best Movies About Scientists and Experiments

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Scientific exploration represents the intellectual pursuit of the unknown. It's a quest for knowledge that has driven many to obsession or even madness, especially when failure looms increasingly overhead.

All kinds of films have been made about enigmatic characters who dedicate their lives to science and experiments. Such films tend to be sci-fi thrillers, but there are also compelling dramas and hilarious comedies that bring fresh energy to the premise.

Here are my picks for the best movies about scientists and their experiments, spanning the gamut of genres but all still worth watching for their own special reasons.

13. Junior (1994)

Directed by Ivan Reitman

Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny DeVito, Emma Thompson

Comedy, Romance, Sci-Fi (1h 49m)

4.7 on IMDb — 39% on RT

Directed by one of the best comedic directors in history, Junior is a cautionary tale of scientific experimentation if there ever was one.

Our story finds two scientists, Dr. Alex Hesse (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) and Dr. Larry Arbogast (played by Danny DeVito), who have created a new pregnancy drug to cure infertility.

Unfortunately, bureaucratic red tape threatens to derail the duo's experiment: due to ethical reasons, they can't test the drug on real human subjects. So, Alex decides to take the drug himself—and despite precautionary measures, even he couldn't predict what happens next.

Yes, that's right: we're kicking off this list with a movie about Arnold Schwarzenegger impregnating himself! Don't worry, as most of the other films on this list will be more serious. But if you're looking for an easy-to-watch comedy, don't let Junior 's poor critical reception deter you.

12. The Andromeda Strain (1971)

Directed by Robert Wise

Starring James Olson, Arthur Hill, David Wayne

Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller (2h 11m)

7.2 on IMDb — 67% on RT

Directed by Robert Wise, The Andromeda Strain is a classic film to watch if you're interested in movies about scientific experiments.

Dr. Jeremy Stone (played by Arthur Hill) is tasked with leading a team of scientists to contain the spread of an extraterrestrial organism that lands on Earth. However, it soon becomes clear throughout their experiments that they're way out of their depth...

Based on the phenomenal novel by sci-fi extraordinaire Michael Crichton, the film adaptation was lauded for its suspense and its creative use of split-screens long before it was widely used.

11. I Origins (2014)

Directed by Mike Cahill

Starring Michael Pitt, Steven Yeun, Astrid Bergès-Frisbey

Drama, Mystery, Romance (1h 46m)

7.3 on IMDb — 52% on RT

PhD student Ian Gray (played by Michael Pitt) is studying the evolution of the human eye. One day, while attending a college party, he meets a woman with the most beautiful eyes he has ever seen.

Later, several years in the future, what begins as a purely scientific study turns into something much more: an experimental investigation into the origins of the human soul.

Directed by the unconventionally meditative Mike Cahill, I Origins is an underrated sci-fi drama that's well worth your time.

10. A Beautiful Mind (2001)

Directed by Ron Howard

Starring Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly

Biography, Drama (2h 15m)

8.2 on IMDb — 74% on RT

Directed by Ron Howard, A Beautiful Mind follows the life of Nobel Prize-winning mathematician John Forbes Nash Jr. (played by Russell Crowe), who was a real person and commonly known as John Nash.

Demonstrating himself to be a brilliant scientist and economist, Nash not only gains the attention of the CIA, but eventually starts working there to help advance the field of cryptography.

However, paranoid delusions gradually start to blur the lines between his personal life and reality. Russell Crowe went on to win the Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role for A Beautiful Mind .

9. The Nutty Professor (1996)

Directed by Tom Shadyac

Starring Eddie Murphy, Jada Pinkett Smith, James Coburn

Comedy, Romance, Sci-Fi (1h 35m)

5.7 on IMDb — 64% on RT

The second (and last) comedy on our list is another terrific adaptation of a classic piece of literature: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde , which was written by Robert Louis Stevenson back in 1886.

Exactly 110 years after publication, Stevenson's novella was given a comedic spin with The Nutty Professor .

In a bid to win the heart of his dream woman, Sherman Klump (played by Eddie Murphy) is desperate to lose weight. So, he conducts an experiment using his vast knowledge of biochemistry.

While he does successfully lose an enormous amount of weight, it comes at a terrible cost... The Nutty Professor stars Eddie Murphy in an impressive seven roles, and it's a laugh-out-loud affair.

8. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)

Directed by Rupert Wyatt

Starring James Franco, Freida Pinto, John Lithgow

Action, Drama, Sci-Fi (1h 45m)

7.6 on IMDb — 82% on RT

Planet of the Apes started as a novel in 1963, which was turned into a film series in 1968, then rebooted into another film series in 2011 starting with Rupert Wyatt's acclaimed Rise of the Planet of the Apes .

Will Rodman (played by James Franco) is a chemist who's experimenting on chimpanzees with an innovative new serum that's one step closer to finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease. However, the serum has unforeseen effects on the primates...

Featuring Andy Serkis as ape leader Caesar using revolutionary performance capture technology, Rise of the Planet of the Apes is one of the best cautionary tales of science gone awry.

Remaking this iconic franchise was a risky decision given that there was a previous reboot attempt in 2001 with Planet of the Apes , which went nowhere due to all kinds of production difficulties. Fortunately, Wyatt pulled it off and the resulting series is just fantastic.

7. Hidden Figures (2016)

Directed by Theodore Melfi

Starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe

Biography, Drama, History (2h 7m)

7.8 on IMDb — 93% on RT

Directed by Theodore Melfi, Hidden Figures is a biographical film that brings us an incredible story that should've been told long ago. Fortunately for us, we get to experience it now.

The narrative follows three women scientists: Dorothy Vaughan (played by Octavia Spencer), Katherine Goble Johnson (played by Taraji P. Henson), and Mary Jackson (played by Janelle Monáe).

Despite their instrumental contributions to America's success during the Space Race, these women were buried and remained unrecognized for years. Why? Simply for being African-American.

Hidden Figures is the tough but inspiring journey of how these women worked to gain the respect that they deserved without ever giving up even in the face of constant discrimination and harassment.

6. The Theory of Everything (2014)

Directed by James Marsh

Starring Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Tom Prior

Biography, Drama, Romance (2h 3m)

7.7 on IMDb — 80% on RT

Stephen Hawking is a man who needs no introduction, but in case you've been living under a rock for the past several decades, suffice it to say that he was one of the most brilliant minds of modern science.

In The Theory of Everything , we get to see his genius on display as he excels at the University of Cambridge, where he published all kinds of groundbreaking works on theoretical physics.

However, perhaps more interestingly, we're given insight into his tumultuous personal life and the challenges he faced as a victim afflicted by ALS (a neurodegenerative disease that affects muscle control).

With a heart-melting score and stunning performances from Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones, The Theory of Everything truly encapsulates the human desire to understand the world we're born into.

5. Contact (1997)

Directed by Robert Zemeckis

Starring Jodie Foster, Matthew McConaughey, Tom Skerritt

Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi (2h 30m)

7.5 on IMDb — 68% on RT

Based on the 1985 novel by Carl Sagan, Robert Zemeckis adapted the grounded sci-fi drama to great success.

Dr. Eleanor "Ellie" Arroway (played by Jodie Foster) is a SETI scientist who makes a breathtaking discovery: an alien transmission.

After establishing contact with extraterrestrials using radio waves, Arroway leads an experiment to create a machine according to the instructions of said extraterrestrial communicators.

While Contact is mostly interesting for its thought experiment of a premise than its characters, the result is still one of the most intriguing movies about a scientific experiment. If you're in search of a realistic take on sci-fi concepts, you can't miss this one.

4. Annihilation (2018)

Directed by Alex Garland

Starring Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tessa Thompson

Adventure, Drama, Horror (1h 55m)

6.8 on IMDb — 88% on RT

When writer-director Alex Garland is at the helm of a film, you know you're in for an experience unlike any other. He's had his ups and downs, but when he's hot, the results are unforgettable.

Annihilation follows a group of women scientists of varying fields who are tasked with investigating the origins of a supernatural entity that has arrived on Earth. The thing is, previous explorers either haven't returned or have come back changed in some way...

Starring Natalie Portman and Jennifer Jason Leigh, they venture into the enigmatic quarantined zone called "The Shimmer" to collect data and uncover what's causing the mutation of plants and animals.

With Annihilation , Alex Garland successfully crafted another worthy entry into his filmography and the cosmic horror canon.

3. The Imitation Game (2014)

Directed by Morten Tyldum

Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode

Biography, Drama, Thriller (1h 54m)

8.0 on IMDb — 90% on RT

Cryptanalyst Alan Turing is well-known today as the father of theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence, but that wasn't always the case. In fact, he was ostracized while he was alive for being gay.

In this superb film directed by Morten Tyldum, we get to see the fantastic legacy he left behind, as well as his role in ending one of the most gruesome conflicts in history: World War II.

During WW2, the Nazis communicated using messages that were encrypted by their Enigma machine. Alan Turing was approached by British intelligence officers in 1939 and hired to break the Enigma codes, as he was the only one with enough expertise to do it.

Benedict Cumberbatch's performance as the man who almost single-handedly decided the fate of World War II with his brilliant brain is both insightful and gut-wrenching.

2. Awakenings (1990)

Directed by Penny Marshall

Starring Robert De Niro, Robin Williams, Julie Kavner

Biography, Drama (2h 1m)

7.8 on IMDb — 84% on RT

Penny Marshall's drama Awakenings isn't just well-written, well-acted, and emotionally affecting—it's based on a true story.

Dr. Malcolm Sayer (played by Robin Williams) is a neurologist studying catatonia. When he begins implementing a new treatment of L-DOPA in coma patients, he's initially disappointed by the results. However, there's eventually a breakthrough when one patient suddenly wakes up.

For the first time in years, Leonard Lowe (played by Robert De Niro) is able to see the world through his own eyes again.

As Dr. Sayer uncovers the reason behind Leonard's sudden awakening, the two of them fear that this experiment may not last. In fact, it may very well be a race against the clock. In the end, Awakenings is an underrated gem that will absolutely have you in tears.

1. Oppenheimer (2023)

Directed by Christopher Nolan

Starring Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon

Biography, Drama, History (3h)

8.5 on IMDb — 93% on RT

Why is Oppenheimer at the top of this list? Maybe it's recency bias. Or maybe it's the massive cult-like following the film had pre-release. Or maybe it's the glowing reviews that came after its release.

All combined, Oppenheimer still sticks out in my mind as the best film about a scientist and his experiments.

J. Robert Oppenheimer (played by Cillian Murphy) is a brilliant theoretical physicist who's headhunted to lead a team of scientists tasked with creating the world's first atomic bomb.

Oppenheimer is tense and suspenseful as director Christopher Nolan employs his trademark nonlinear narrative style to create total immersion in Oppenheimer's race against time and persecution.

The film is doubly effective as a cautionary tale, which is why I'm ranking it at number one. Oppenheimer is cinema's best depiction of a scientist haunted by his greatest achievement and tormented by his own legacy.

Oppenheimer's most impressive experiment came at massive cost: the fate of the entire world. Few films have managed to establish stakes so monumental and deliver a climax worthy of said stakes.

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The Human Experiment

A documentary that explores chemicals found in everyday household products. A documentary that explores chemicals found in everyday household products. A documentary that explores chemicals found in everyday household products.

• Dana Nachman
• 6 User reviews
• 3 Critic reviews
• 44 Metascore
• 1 nomination

• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Narrator : In 2011, the chemical industry spent more than $52 Million lobbying Washington. Health advocates are struggling to level the playing field against this formidable opponent.

User reviews 6

• Sep 10, 2016
• April 17, 2015 (United States)
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• Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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• Runtime 1 hour 31 minutes

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The Human Experiment

Critics reviews, audience reviews, cast & crew.

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Many of the social issue documentaries that attract the greatest attention—think “ An Inconvenient Truth ” or “ Bowling for Columbine ” —combine focused subjects with authorial points of view that are distinctive, forceful and individual. Don Hardy and Dana Nachman ’s “The Human Experiment” lacks these qualities. Its subject, the threat of manufactured chemicals in the environment, is a sprawling, amorphous one. And though Sean Penn executive-produced the film and voices its spare narration, the doc has a very generic tone, so much so that it might seem to belong on TV rather than in theaters.

Yet these characteristics do not fatally undermine the film, which gradually marshals its arguments and evidence in such a way that it ends being compelling and illuminating for viewers who are more interested in useful information than artful presentation.

Most people will approach the film having heard that concern over chemicals in the environment has grown in the last couple of decades as their mounting use has been paralleled by dramatic rises in maladies ranging from birth defects to various cancers to autism. There’s not just a handful of such chemicals setting off alarm bells; there are hundreds. The illnesses they’re linked to are also legion, while the connections between them are sometimes more strongly circumstantial than fully established.

“The Human Experiment” starts out by sketching in the range of these phenomena via interviews with people who’ve had medical problems that are thought to be chemically related and doctors who’ve been studying them. The narrative soon enough turns to the economic and political forces behind the overall situation.

These chemicals came into the environment, of course, because they were profitable for the companies that marketed them. Any that preceded the first efforts at government regulation were effectively “grandfathered in” so that their use couldn’t be challenged, and newer ones were introduced without full-scale testing or oversight. Then, when environmentalists began probing their links to various problems, the companies put profits before public safety, throwing up p.r. smokescreens aimed at inhibiting public awareness and government action.

The game plan they followed was the one used so successfully for decades by the tobacco industry (and probed in greater detail in Robert Kenner’s “ Merchants of Doubt ”): from sewing doubt about the actual science to creating their own bogus data and “experts,” the companies positioned themselves as champions of personal liberty, saying that using their products—no matter how questionable—was a matter of individual choice. Needless to say, they were simultaneously able to throw tons more money into lobbying than their opponents were.

One example of how this worked is explored in the case of flame retardants used on fabrics and other materials. In 1975, California passed a law requiring their use. In recent years, as the chemicals in retardants were shown to be environmentally hazardous and their effectiveness in preventing fire deaths was questioned, a group called Citizens for Fire Safety began running ads advocating their continued use as a way of protecting children—a seemingly laudable goal. Yet the group was not the grassroots activists organization it appeared to be but a front created by the American Chemical Association. Eventually, the ruse was exposed and efforts to change California’s law succeeded.

For much of its length, “The Human Experiment” can feel repetitious, as we see a succession of blandly-shot talking heads discoursing on one chemically-related problem after another. Of course, autism and breast cancer are very different sorts of problems, but the film’s treatment of them effectively just adds them to a long list of ailments that scientists have linked to environmental causes. Yet in its last third, the film moves from presenting the problems to showing how there is movement toward solving some of them—a movement with notable developments on two fronts.

At the international level, Europe has taken the lead in restricting environmental hazards and requiring chemical companies to prove the safety of their products before they are introduced. These policies have been studied by many non-European countries, with the result that their model has taken hold in nations as far-flung and environmentally crucial as India and China. And you can bet some Americans are startled to learn China has certain environmental protections that are better than those in the U.S.

But there’s movement in America too, much of it on the state and local levels. That’s where “The Human Experiment” become most engaging: by showing how a lot of ordinary Americans in diverse locales get concerned about these problems—often by being affected by them personally—then educate themselves and start working with friends and neighbors and sympathetic lawmakers to change the relevant laws.

It’s a heartening example of democracy in action. Spreading awareness of the problems and their potential solutions is a big part of the process, and in that sense, “The Human Experiment” itself will be a useful tool for those involved in these multi-pronged battles.

Godfrey Cheshire

Godfrey Cheshire is a film critic, journalist and filmmaker based in New York City. He has written for The New York Times, Variety, Film Comment, The Village Voice, Interview, Cineaste and other publications.

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From the horrific to the downright goofy, human experimentation has a long and storied place in the history of movies. The strength of the genre lies in its flexibility, which allows it to both reference and distance itself from real-life examples. Much like how good old-fashioned slashers settled on foundational tropes, human experiment movies have discovered their own formula - pun intended - for success.

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Unsurprisingly, many of the genre's tropes are founded in body horror, though that's not to say that body horror is exclusive to human experiment movies (cult classics like The Stuff and eXistenZ , for example, are body horror minus the experimentation). Regardless of genre or subgenre, however, these movies have the power to shock, horrify, and entertain.

10 The Human Centipede Trilogy

It's impossible to isolate just one movie from The Human Centipede trilogy - from the first sequence to the last, they're all insane and notoriously disgusting horror romps that no list about human experiment movies could do without.

The premise is simple: could someone turn a bunch of people into a single organism by connecting them surgically ? The answer will test any audience's sanity - and their gag reflex.

9 Dark City

One year before The Matrix revolutionized the industry, there was Dark City . Its influences on The Matrix are well documented, and the movie has since been recognized as a cult classic , despite its awful box office showing. A man named John Murdoch wakes up in a hotel bathtub with acute amnesia; in the next room is a murdered woman and a bloodied knife. It's implied he's a murderer - but how?

The answer is surprising, and worth a spoiler-free viewing. It does, in fact, involve human experimentation, but who exactly is running the experiment?

8 A Clockwork Orange

Ready for a bit of the old ultraviolence? When it's time to break a milk-plus addiction, it's time to break out the eye clamps. A Clockwork Orange is a classic Kubrick movie set in dystopian Britain, where young delinquents run roughshod over the land's genteel citizenry.

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Though Alex's rehabilitation via the "Ludovico Technique" - where those eye clamps come into play - doesn't comprise the bulk of the movie, it is fundamental nonetheless to the quandary that Burgess places at the center of his novel: If a person is a product of their environment, then what does the worst among us represent? And does a person's successful rehabilitation, regardless of the methods used, absolve us, or does it only serve to further condemn us?

Alien is one of the most foundational movies ever made, a smudgy counterpoint to the all-too-clean world of sci-fi at the time . While later movies like Prometheus and Covenant would expand the canon beyond space truckers and xenomorphs, the first Alien remains a thrilling horror movie for how simply it's presented.

When Ash, a synthetic person (and a twitchy one at that) purposefully lets an alien creature aboard the Nostromo, he does so in the hopes of recovering a xenomorph specimen for Weyland-Yutani - I.E. that a person would be forcibly implanted with a Chestburster and enter hypersleep as a specimen.

6 Re-Animator

Jeffrey Combs is a multi-genre fan favorite: from his frequent appearances on Star Trek to his horror cameos, he's a well-beloved actor, and deservedly so.

Re-Animator is foundational to Combs' body of work. In it, he plays Herbert West, a medical student at Miskatonic University who invents a serum capable of bringing the dead back to life. Its unique blend of comedy and body horror - pioneered several years prior by Raimi's The Evil Dead - combined with Combs' deadpan performance creates a surreal, funny, and unforgettable movie experience.

Merely one year after Jeffrey Combs graced the silver screen in Re-Animator , another perennial fan-favorite - Jeff Goldblum - had audiences shocked and disgusted as Seth Brundle, a scientist who, in the middle of testing his teleportation device on himself, winds up fusing with an errant fly.

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As a Cronenberg movie, it shouldn't be surprising how much body horror is packed onto the screen, and yet the uncanny practical effects combined with Goldblum's performance are enough to leave even modern audiences shuddering with disgust.

4 Bride of Reanimator

Jeffrey Combs returns as Herbert West, medical student, and dead body enthusiast, in this uproarious sequel; Bride of Reanimator took what worked so well in Reanimator and turned the dials up to eleven. The plot centers around West's vision to create a person out of different body parts, the most notable part being the heart of Cain's current girlfriend.

However, the head of Doctor Graves returns to ruin the whole experiment - and, this time, he's flying around with bat wings and using his psychic powers to manipulate the people around him. The true horror of West's experimentation doesn't become apparent until the movie's finale, and it's too good to spoil - suffice it to say that there's a lot to appreciate for comedy and horror fans alike.

3 Day of the Dead

Often overlooked in Romero's trilogy, Day of the Dead is a classic in its own right. Similar to Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead , it's a bottle movie , only the bottle this time around is a secret research bunker instead of a house or shopping mall. The movie pits military personnel and well-meaning scientists against one another as both groups approach the limits of their patience and sanity.

One of the ways Day of the Dead stands out is Bub, a zombie domesticated by Doctor Logan, played brilliantly by Sherman Howard. Together, they form a twisted child-parent relationship - what could possibly go wrong? Another standout performance worth mentioning is Joseph Pilato, playing Captain Henry Rhodes at the other end of the scientist-military spectrum.

In 2017, Jordan Peele took the horror genre by the throat with Get Out , blending subtle humor with subverted horror tropes to create a truly unique movie.

RELATED: Home Is Where The Terror Is: Iconic Horror Movie Houses

The third act is a nod to ultraviolent endings as seen in movies like Deliverance , Straw Dogs , and 28 Days Later , and is an immensely satisfying finale for Kaluuya's character. It's a movie better watched than explained - no spoilers!

If Ash shoving a magazine down Ripley's throat in Alien wasn't disturbing enough, then the actions of one Weyland-Yutani corporate goon in its sequel, Aliens , should suffice. Carter Burke, who introduces himself as "an okay guy," locks Ripley and her surrogate daughter, Newt, into a room with a Facehugger in the hopes that one or both of them will get impregnated with a xenomorph.

One could argue that the real perpetrators of human experimentation in that situation is Weyland-Yutani itself, but Paul Reiser's performance in the movie makes it all too easy to just blame it all on Burke.

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An eye-opening look at untested chemicals found in everyday products, and their impact on our health. This documentary also explores the work of activists to bring greater transparency to this issue.

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Chris Hemsworth oversees a bizarro drug experiment in 'Spiderhead' trailer

If Chris Hemsworth asked you to participate in an experimental drug study, what would you say?

Well, if you're any of the inmates at the state-of-the-art penitentiary in Netflix's Spiderhead , you don't have much of a choice. In the upcoming sci-fi thriller, prisoners have the possibility to shave time off their sentence by participating in a study run by visionary Steve Abnesti (Hemsworth). Subjects like Jeff (Miles Teller) and Lizzy (Jurnee Smollett) agree to be injected with mind-altering substances that drastically change their emotions, but quickly come to suspect the study of having a sinister purpose — you know, beyond forcing prisoners to participate in unethical experiments.

Directed by Top Gun: Maverick helmer Joseph Kosinski and penned by Deadpool scribes Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, Spiderhead promises to be a thrilling ride.

Spiderhead hits Netflix June 17.

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Belen Edwards is an Entertainment Reporter at Mashable. She covers movies and TV with a focus on fantasy and science fiction, adaptations, animation, and more nerdy goodness.

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Customer service: how ai is transforming interactions.

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Benevolent by nature, Kartik Jobanputra is a serial entrepreneur and a pro skydiver. He lives life king-size. Founder & MD of smartt-ai.com .

Customer service is evolving quickly thanks to the power of artificial intelligence. To me, AI is not just a trend; it's redefining how businesses connect with customers.

Many businesses use AI to gain insights into customers and drive strategic decisions. AI can identify trends and patterns by analyzing vast amounts of customer data. This deep understanding can help businesses anticipate customer needs, tailor their services and create highly targeted marketing campaigns. Companies can also use AI to transform raw data into actionable insights, which can help them better understand and serve their customers.

Additionally, the increasing cost of labor has pushed some businesses to explore more cost-effective solutions , some of which might use AI. Furthermore, a growing emphasis on customer experience can make AI an attractive option . AI-powered personalization and full-time availability can benefit customer satisfaction.

I've seen the potential of AI in customer service firsthand. While my company hasn't fully integrated AI into our customer service operations, we have experimented with AI-driven chatbots for initial customer inquiries. The results have been promising and demonstrated to me how AI can efficiently handle routine questions and free up our human agents to focus on more complex issues. I believe that as AI technology matures, we will see even more innovative applications in this area, leading to a transformative shift in customer interactions.

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Oprah endorses kamala harris at dnc: her political history—and rare endorsements—explained, bayesian yacht: bodies of entrepreneur michael lynch and morgan stanley chief recovered in italy, the impact of ai on customer service.

AI can make customer service faster and more efficient. Traditional customer service methods often involve wait times and repetitive tasks, which can lead to customer frustration. AI can help streamline these processes and ensure customer queries are addressed quickly.

A survey by Salesforce found that 63% of service professionals think generative AI will help them serve customers faster. Moreover, Gartner said that "by 2025, 80% of customer service and support organizations will be applying generative AI technology in some form to improve agent productivity and customer experience." These statistics show the growing reliance on AI to enhance customer service.

Applications Of AI

Chatbots and virtual assistants are among the most common AI tools. These technologies can handle a wide range of customer queries and provide instant responses. The technology's ability to operate 24/7 ensures customers can receive support at any time, which can enhance their overall experience. For example, a report by IBM found that businesses using "AI infused virtual agents" can reduce customer service costs by up to 30% while improving customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Predictive Analytics And Sentiment Analysis

Predictive analytics can help businesses anticipate customer needs before they arise. I believe the use of these analytics will become more common. Sentiment analysis, another AI-powered tool, can gauge customer emotions. This capability helps understand customer sentiments and tailor interactions to improve their experience.

Generative AI

Generative AI goes beyond traditional AI by creating new content based on existing data. This includes generating responses, creating personalized recommendations and producing content that aligns with customer preferences. For instance, generative AI can craft email responses and generate product recommendations. It can simulate human-like conversations, which can make customer interactions more dynamic and engaging.

Real-World Examples

AI is already in use in many customer-facing applications. For example, companies like Amazon and Netflix use AI to personalize customer interactions. Amazon uses AI to recommend products and appropriate sizes to customers, while Netflix suggests shows and movies based on viewing history. This level of personalization can make customers feel valued and understood.

Conversational AI includes technologies like chatbots and voice assistants that enable machines to interact with humans more naturally. This technology is being used across various sectors to provide customer support, answer questions and assist in sales. For instance, in retail, AI chatbots can help customers find products, track orders and handle returns. In healthcare , AI chatbots can provide patients with information about symptoms, share medication reminders or assist with scheduling treatments. A 2018 study by Juniper Research suggested that by 2023, chatbots would save businesses in the retail, banking and healthcare sectors $11 billion annually in customer service costs.

Considerations When Getting Started

It's essential to acknowledge the challenges associated with implementing AI. One significant hurdle is ensuring data privacy and security. Customers are increasingly concerned about how their data is used, and businesses must prioritize robust data protection measures.

Additionally, there's the risk of AI bias, which can lead to unfair or discriminatory outcomes. It's crucial to develop AI systems that are trained on diverse datasets to mitigate this risk.

In our early AI experiments, we faced challenges related to data quality and algorithm accuracy. To overcome these, we invested in data cleaning and enrichment processes and continuously monitored and refined our AI models. A key lesson learned is the importance of human oversight. While AI can automate many tasks, human judgment is still essential for complex issues and to ensure ethical decision-making.

I encourage other business leaders to approach AI implementation with a strategic mindset. Start with clear objectives and identify areas where AI can add the most value. Build a strong data foundation, invest in talent and foster a culture of experimentation and learning. By carefully considering these factors, businesses can begin using AI while mitigating potential risks.

In conclusion, AI is transforming customer service by making it more efficient, personalized and accessible. While there are challenges to prepare for, such as data privacy and ethical concerns, the benefits of AI in enhancing customer interactions are worth considering. As the technology continues to advance, I believe the role of AI in customer service will grow and offer more innovative solutions to meet customers' evolving needs.

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