review for Human Experiments on AllMovie

Human Experiments was marketed as a horror film but it's much more ambitious and imaginative than such a label suggests. Richard Rothstein's script blends elements of the conspiracy film, the psycho thriller and the women-in-prison film to create a genuinely offbeat story that is constantly throwing the viewer curveballs. Director Greg Goodsell never overplays his hand, framing the story in a subtle style and slowly ratcheting up the tension until it boils over for a memorable third act. He works in the occasional flash of black humor and handles the doctor's surreal "behavior modification" experiments in a unique style that mixes the surreal and the visceral. Human Experiments also benefits from a well-chosen cast that adds a lot to the film: b-movie vet Linda Haynes makes a sympathetic heroine and delivers some impressive Method-style theatrics as her character is driven over the edge while Geoffrey Lewis underplays nicely as the villainous prison doctor, generating menace in a quiet, clinical style. Ellen Travolta also delivers a nice supporting turn as a veteran prisoner who is sympathetic to Haynes. In short, Human Experiments is an unsung exploitation-flick gem and a worthwhile surprise for veteran fans looking for something different from the usual b-movie fare.