Derren Brown: Pushed to the Edge
On this film, Derren Brown pushes the envelope of social psychology by staging a provocative scenario in which a member of the public is led to believe that they have helped push someone to death. The plan foregrounds the power of conformity as Brown and his team orchestrate a tense environment... Read more
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About Derren Brown: Pushed to the Edge
On this film, Derren Brown pushes the envelope of social psychology by staging a provocative scenario in which a member of the public is led to believe that they have helped push someone to death. The plan foregrounds the power of conformity as Brown and his team orchestrate a tense environment where participants reveal how quickly they defer to group pressure, even when it clashes with their own morals. The result is a documentary style look at moral risk, legality, and the ethics of putting real people in ethically fraught situations. The narration keeps the stakes personal and immediate, avoiding sensationalism while inviting viewers to question responsibility and choice. The film raises questions about curiosity versus harm.
Directed by Jon Richards and released in 2016 as a television documentary feature, the film centers on Derren Brown and a cast playing themselves in a tightly produced exploration of social influence rather than a traditional narrative. Produced by a team of UK production specialists.
Viewers and critics have noted the film's unsettling examination of conformity under pressure and ethics in observation. Rated around 7 by audiences, it earns praise for its restraint and its willingness to confront questions about accountability, manipulation, and the boundaries of experiment versus exploitation in a measured style.
The film has sparked conversations about consent in social experiments and the responsibilities of participants and observers. It has circulated in discussions of bystander effects and manipulation ethics, prompting viewers to consider how social cues can override judgment and the harm that can arise when dramatic setups are used.
There are no major awards or nominations recorded for this title, suggesting it was primarily evaluated within television and documentary circles rather than the awards circuit. Some viewers may place it among Brown's provocative explorations of ethical boundaries, though it did not gain significant competitive recognition.
Details
- Release Date
- January 12, 2016
- Runtime
- 1h 10m
- User Ratings
- 101 votes
- Type
- Movie
- Genres
- Documentary, TV Movie
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Studio
- Vaudeville Productions
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Official Trailer
Cast
Derren Brown
Himself
Tom Carter
Tom
Chris Kingston
Himself
Heather Ashley Chase
Herself
Matt Lucas
Himself
Martin Freeman
Himself
David Tennant
Himself
Polly Eachus
Gizzy
Director: Jon Richards