Compliance (film)

Compliance is a 2012 American psychological thriller film written and directed by Craig Zobel, starring Ann Dowd, Dreama Walker, and Pat Healy. The film is based on real events surrounding a strip search phone call scam that occurred in Mount Washington, Kentucky, in 2004.

The film depicts Becky (Dreama Walker), a young cashier at a fast-food restaurant, who is accused of theft by a man identifying himself as a police officer named Officer Daniels (Pat Healy) over the phone. Sandra (Ann Dowd), the restaurant's manager, complies with Daniels' increasingly bizarre and intrusive requests, ultimately leading to Becky being subjected to a humiliating and degrading ordeal.

Compliance explores themes of authority, obedience, and the dangers of unquestioning adherence to instructions, even in the absence of direct physical coercion. The film raises ethical questions about the responsibility of individuals to question authority and the potential for seemingly ordinary people to inflict harm when placed in positions of power or perceived authority.

The film premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival and received both critical acclaim and significant controversy due to its disturbing content and depiction of sexual abuse. Some critics praised its unflinching portrayal of human behavior under pressure, while others found the film exploitative and manipulative. The film sparked debate about the responsibilities of filmmakers when depicting sensitive and potentially triggering subject matter.