The Circle
STX Entertainment | Release Date: April 28, 2017
5.0
USER SCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 206 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
57
Mixed:
88
Negative:
61
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User scoreBy dateMost helpful
7
TinoTrivinoJul 30, 2017
THIS MOVIE MADE ME JUST DELETE MY FACEBOOK ACCOUNT... of course its a simple movie comparing to the book. BUT ITS SO INCREDIBLE TRUE in NEAR FUTURE!!!! HORRIBLE WE BECAME ZOMBIES!!! WE ARE SO ****
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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8
NmiltonJul 4, 2017
Loved it. Great. (I understand why the heritage slant might have had to been left out to streamline the script, but, personally, I would have left it in).
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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7
rebaOct 13, 2017
Raises questions we need to be discussing so I'll give it credit, though not a great movie. Directing is a bit rough, Ty character a bit lost....Those who read about tech and society all the time will find it boring, but it will bring to theRaises questions we need to be discussing so I'll give it credit, though not a great movie. Directing is a bit rough, Ty character a bit lost....Those who read about tech and society all the time will find it boring, but it will bring to the general public a way of thinking about our future that we need to do as a society. Hanks is great in his role.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
EludiumQ36Apr 2, 2019
It's said "The Circle" is modeled after Google and that could be so, but that company exhibits the ambition and the total disregard for privacy of Facebook. In fact, there's a live-stream scene in the movie that ends tragically ala theIt's said "The Circle" is modeled after Google and that could be so, but that company exhibits the ambition and the total disregard for privacy of Facebook. In fact, there's a live-stream scene in the movie that ends tragically ala the Christchurch shooting that was livestreamed on FB. The movie had a decent start/setup but then rushed at the end to make all its points. Because of that, it would've played better as a short 8-ep streaming series; instead, it sacrificed plausibility in order to complete its story within the short time allotted. So yes, it gets kind of dumb at the end, but if you can look past that you can see the social-media run-amok dangers forecast back in the 2012/13 timeframe when this film was first discussed.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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5
Sweet_Old_BobMay 2, 2017
I really looked forward to this movie. The suggested story of the future, a big internet social media, an outstanding cast with Emma Watson and Tom Hanks - and then the whole thing fizzled out. It was just plan-jane mundane. The scenery wasI really looked forward to this movie. The suggested story of the future, a big internet social media, an outstanding cast with Emma Watson and Tom Hanks - and then the whole thing fizzled out. It was just plan-jane mundane. The scenery was good, the photography was good, the acting was good. It's just the story that wasn't any good. I was really disappointed.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
LeZeeNov 29, 2017
Despite a message film, an average!

A book based film. Pretty much set in the present world scenario. The world where the internet, the social media is controlling people. If any revolution must take place, that's none other place than theDespite a message film, an average!

A book based film. Pretty much set in the present world scenario. The world where the internet, the social media is controlling people. If any revolution must take place, that's none other place than the virtual world. So a young woman who worked hard to get a job in a leading tech company, starts her life anew. At one end, aged and seriously ill parents, and the other end, making an unexpected leap in the workplace lead her to be a celebrity overnight. But it's only going to change her life forever, but how is to know, one must watch the film.

It was an Emma Watson's film. Tom Hanks was is an important role, but Watson led the show. Nice theme, but predictable storyline. I indeed guessed the end, which spoiled my watch. Slightly an awareness film too. Not all the technology can make life better, but sometimes opposite. Particularly, the film highlighted the privacy issue, how important it is for everyone. And at a same time, transparency too can bring a major change in society. But it all depends on the people and their professions. Surely not to be missed, despite you enjoy it or dislike it.

6/10… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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5
marcmyworksJul 24, 2017
Its a shame a film with such a great premise turned into such a colossal bomb. The acting, script and characters are all horrible and the commentary on "online living" is just didn't seem plausible. Wouldn't the government have interjected?
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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4
MattBrady99Aug 27, 2017
This is one of those films were at the end of the year people will look back and say "Wow, that came out?". Besides feeling like a bad episode of "Black Mirror", the movie fails at being...well, a film.

With the message of 'The Internet isThis is one of those films were at the end of the year people will look back and say "Wow, that came out?". Besides feeling like a bad episode of "Black Mirror", the movie fails at being...well, a film.

With the message of 'The Internet is bad' force so down in your throat, you wish to force your message down it's throat with "I GET IT! I GET IT! I GET IT!". I though they could've do something clever or creativity, but of course not, since it's takes effort I guess.

Emma Watson, John Boyega, Karen Gillan, and Tom Hanks not doing much in your movie is the biggest wasted opportunity. Doesn't help with the cringey dialogue and dull scenes that feels like filler.

R.I.P Bill Paxton and Glenne Headley. Both of them play Emma Watson parents in the movie. What an awful way to go out.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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4
trebligApr 28, 2017
The Circle takes an interesting premise, though one that has been seen in other movies, builds up its intensity, and then fizzles. The plotting felt thin, as if it weren't fully developed. At the start of the movie, there is a scene playedThe Circle takes an interesting premise, though one that has been seen in other movies, builds up its intensity, and then fizzles. The plotting felt thin, as if it weren't fully developed. At the start of the movie, there is a scene played for satire in which Emma Watson's character receives an orientation of sorts on how to socialize with her colleagues at her new workplace. That was one of the high points of the movie. It was clever, well-acted, and set the tone for how companies like Google want users to become fully immersed into their products. That tone, played comedically and dramatically, is dropped for the rest of the movie. Another scene, later in the movie, depicts the hysteria of e-mobs when self-righteousness rules out any acts of human decency. It's a scary, effective sequence. Besides those two high points, the rest of the movie feels almost inert. The intensity that builds to the e-mob sequence felt as if it were going for another high-intensity sequence. Instead, the movie ends and the credits roll. Hmmmmm. Inside this movie, there was a great one trying to get out. Alas, it didn't happen.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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1
gothicm3rcyJul 14, 2017
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I gave the score a 1 for Bill Paxton, in his final role, he was excellent as an MS suffering father of Emma Watsons character Mae. Mae is a tech for a big company created by Bailey (Tom Hanks), who for some reason is supposed to be a bad guy, however we ony ASSUME he is, because frankly...Mae is no better than he is. The main idea here is surveillance...its a modern version of George Orwells 1984, only nowhere close to being as good...Bailey shows off a tiny cheap camera in a presentation...which you can put anywhere. Linked to a satellite you get immediate access to it....yep it has lawsuit all over it. But the company loves the idea, every worker cheers , because he uses the old excuse that "it will stop terrorists, stop murderers etc....although as we see later it also lets you see your parents having sex in the privacy of their bedroom when they don't want it).
so bailey is bad for creating the idea, agreed? oh hell yea, but wait....the company pretty much ALSO "demands" your free time (though they don't say it that way) is spent with them as well as work time...at first it seems Mae is shocked by this, but the company helps her MS suffering dad, so she laps it up after a while. So much so that she goes "transparent" and wears a camera 99 percent of the time, all the time.
so why is mae as bad as bailey? well, Mae comes up with 2 ideas....firstly to make joining the circle company and also voting, for US citizens...the same thing...and MANDATORY, and then creating a search system that takes less than 20 minutes to find people not on its grid. Firstly the excuse being to find murderers and such...but when everyone wants to find her friend Mercer, who wants privacy, she says "he probably doesn't want to be found"...yep, shes being a complete hypocrite....as she wouldn't care if it was someone she didn't know, obviously.
The public are the people that go on the hunt for the ones not in the circle...and ridiculously, most countries agree to the system, which would never happen...I mean, people running around looking for murderers??? and countries agreeing to mandatory joining a company and voting....without seeing riots?
Mercer gets killed because of an idiot drone pilot chasing him and driving in front of him....and nothing is mentioned about anyone being arrested, though Mae should have been because it was her dumb idea.
So she decides to bring down the companies boss by making him transparent...so everyone sees his emails and such....which we assume are terrible etc.
She promises to make the company better...but at the end it shows a ton of screens sping on everyone, and drones hovering over her while she kayaks....so its still the same stupid company and she didn't change anything...same old sheep working there and the population are still apparently idiots.
oh yea, john boyega is in it....but he may as well not be because it seemed pretty pointless.
TERRIBLE TERRIBLE movie
if you want to see people chanting and following like sheep, and countries making choices that they would never make in the real world.....then ok, watch it....but don't break your tv afterwards… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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2
DavidWasHereAug 27, 2017
What could have been a great or at least an interesting satire of social media and mainstream internet culture, the Circle is a plodding bore with bland directing, a wasted cast from Tom Hanks to John Boyega, and Emma Watson giving aWhat could have been a great or at least an interesting satire of social media and mainstream internet culture, the Circle is a plodding bore with bland directing, a wasted cast from Tom Hanks to John Boyega, and Emma Watson giving a performance on par to Kristen Stewart from the Twilight films (not even joking on that). This movie is one half a tired Orwellian sci-fi film and another half an old man waving his cane shouting "YOU DAMN KIDS AND YOUR SOCIAL MEDIAS AND YOUR CELLULAR PHONES!!!"… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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3
The3AcademySinsOct 11, 2019
The Circle. Oh boy. What starts off as an interesting premise quickly devolves into boring and predictable schlock. The elements that are not boring or predictable are completely baffling. Seriously, some plot elements are remiscient of "TheThe Circle. Oh boy. What starts off as an interesting premise quickly devolves into boring and predictable schlock. The elements that are not boring or predictable are completely baffling. Seriously, some plot elements are remiscient of "The Room." This isn't helped by the fact that this movie features some truly terrible performances from Emma Watson and Tom Hanks. There were even some unintentionally hilarious scenes that reminded me of "The Wickerman." There are some okay ideas that are brought up, but overall the terrible execution really decimates any messages this movie had.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
KaptenVideoMay 25, 2017
Oh look, here's the movie that everyone loves to hate in Spring 2017! It's the critically reviled techno thriller which is played out as George Orwell flavored near future sci-fi, only everything in is already real. More or less.
A girl (EmmaOh look, here's the movie that everyone loves to hate in Spring 2017! It's the critically reviled techno thriller which is played out as George Orwell flavored near future sci-fi, only everything in is already real. More or less.
A girl (Emma Watson of „Harry Potter“ movies) working at one of the world’s largest tech / social media companies discovers that modern technology is only as cool as the people who own it. Turns out, free lunches are not that free after all.
„The Circle“ can be called an insightful look about perils of our digital life, or „a paranoid thriller without suspense, urgency or a single new thing to say“, as Rolling Stone has delightfully put it.
Many gravitate towards the latter. Me, I am more generous here. I'd call it a fully functional movie, just not a very gripping one.
The main problem may be that if you know about the digital life and it’s shadow side, „The Circle“ only recapitulates the often heard bullet points and adds nothing new. And if you don’t know or care, then nobody offers convincing arguments to invest yourself in it either.
The result in its one-note-ness and unelegant-ness resembles some popular teen drama: you can watch it and don’t have to feel bored exactly, but you'll never mistake it for really good stuff. In the age of quality TV series, „The Circle“ can’t help but feel anachronistic, although its topics are thoroughly modern.
Emma Watson is a bit too charmless to carry the result alone but her more intriguing co-stars (Bill Paxton in his final movie role, Tom Hanks as the founder of the company, Patton Oswalt, Glenne Headley) are sadly delegated to sidelines and can’t really help carry the weight.
All in all, I gotta say, the reputation of „The Circle“ is worse than the movie itself. Sure, it’s not great, and would probably work better as an episode in anthology such as „Black Mirror“.
But there’s nothing really wrong with it either. It’s a serviceable thriller for educating youngsters and effective cautionary tale about modern digital life.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
dr0nzerDec 27, 2017
I went into this film without any expectations and I was pleasantly surprised by how much i enjoyed it, it's a modern take on the Truman Show and corporate life in a big company, perhaps like google/apple whilst exploring modern themes of aI went into this film without any expectations and I was pleasantly surprised by how much i enjoyed it, it's a modern take on the Truman Show and corporate life in a big company, perhaps like google/apple whilst exploring modern themes of a big brother type society, lot of twists and turns and unexpected events, the progression and depth of the story telling was really intriguing.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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5
Reginald050877May 10, 2017
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I like Tom Hanks. Emma Watson is Ok. I thought Egger's THE CIRCLE was an interesting if dated book. A lot of what was written in 2013 has become closer to reality than theory. With that being said, I think the filmmakers made a Ok movie...just OK.

First, the movie is not on the same tone level as the book. Frankly, the book was more R rated due to some uneasy anecdotes in Mae's life and due to the language tone of the book. That's part of the story, and the PG13 rating was not enough.

Second, they fundamentally changed the story which changed "the story" and aim of everything. Ty/Kalden was really not present in the story. His mystique was gone. Mercer? They destroyed his character by turning him from someone Mae did not like to someone she actually liked to some level of attraction. If you see the final act in the book compared to the movie, you will see a difference in how Mae reacts to the events which is a key part of the theme of the story. Not sure what they did with Francis. He as EXTREMELY important to the development of Mae's character.

Lastly, I think it would have been better if they had slowed things down a bit and made the movie about 30 minutes longer. They would have allowed more time to develop Annie more. She represents a key theme of the book too: Positive Workaholic vs Destructive Workaholic.

As I say all the time about book-to-movie adaptations, read the book first please because it makes the movie easier to accept despite concessions almost always made in the transference. Just an OK movie...but I like Tom Hanks...and Emma is Ok. :)… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
Dino778Jun 2, 2017
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I enjoyed this movie. It was interesting. I like how the whole point of this movie is that it shows the importance of privacy online. I must say that the trailer had some spoilers but away from that a good movie. :)… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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4
bobbymbJan 25, 2018
Nagyon unalmas volt ez a film. Nem sok filmre mondom ezt, de nehezen tudtam végignézni. Tom Hanks miatt kapott 5 csillagot. Emma Watson játéka most 0 volt. Az alapsztori és Tom Hanks miatt kezdtük el nézni, de nem sikerült olyan filmetNagyon unalmas volt ez a film. Nem sok filmre mondom ezt, de nehezen tudtam végignézni. Tom Hanks miatt kapott 5 csillagot. Emma Watson játéka most 0 volt. Az alapsztori és Tom Hanks miatt kezdtük el nézni, de nem sikerült olyan filmet csinálni, hogy az élvezhető legyen.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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5
CoKronakanFeb 19, 2018
Sadly this movie is painfully average. The actors where great, but I feel like they could have done so much more with that great cast, it was a waste of their talent. Overall this movie does nothing to great, and the ending of the movie justSadly this movie is painfully average. The actors where great, but I feel like they could have done so much more with that great cast, it was a waste of their talent. Overall this movie does nothing to great, and the ending of the movie just leave a sour taste in the mouth, because it feels like something is missing and doesn't have a solid conclusions. Anyway there where a few very interesting references, but non the less it could save the movie. It feels like this movie would have been a solid 9/10 if it was a Black Mirror episode. But like this a standalone movie it's just average.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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2
beeanadouOct 7, 2018
Good intended but failed to express the great idea well...Feel boring most of the time...
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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5
Movie3Jul 15, 2018
...the ending confused me. This movie was okay and kind of propaganda-inducing to some people (not me), and made you think.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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2
MrScallopsJun 19, 2019
"The Circle" is an awkward drama, wasting both Watson's and Hanks' talents and presenting us with a pointless and broken script, sub-par acting and uneven pacing.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
LORDtroldemort1Jun 22, 2019
Despite an uneven plot, choppy direction and an inconclusive ending, the circle still manages to just about give audiences an entertaining film.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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5
netflicMay 1, 2017
The idea of this movie is rich with potential: what role social media plays in our lives? An excellent topic for discussion.
But the movie itself turned out mediocre at best. Many characters look caricaturish and two-demential at best. WhileThe idea of this movie is rich with potential: what role social media plays in our lives? An excellent topic for discussion.
But the movie itself turned out mediocre at best. Many characters look caricaturish and two-demential at best. While cinematography is stunning at times, directing an acting could be much better.… Expand
3 of 4 users found this helpful31
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9
VadertimeMay 8, 2017
Alert. Alert. Alert. This movie is good, but it's not a "blow-your-socks-off" like the first. I think it got mired a bit too deeply into the family issues aspect of the character development. I loved how James Gunn sprinkled those 70s tuneAlert. Alert. Alert. This movie is good, but it's not a "blow-your-socks-off" like the first. I think it got mired a bit too deeply into the family issues aspect of the character development. I loved how James Gunn sprinkled those 70s tune throughout the movie. Otherwise, it was still a fun ride and I can't wait till GOG:V3.… Expand
3 of 4 users found this helpful31
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7
dashtagMay 1, 2017
Didn't find this movie the worst, but not the best. I thought they could have ended it MUCH better, and the performances were disappointing. Emma Watson was great, and the story was very interesting. The directing was very poor, and thereDidn't find this movie the worst, but not the best. I thought they could have ended it MUCH better, and the performances were disappointing. Emma Watson was great, and the story was very interesting. The directing was very poor, and there were weird cuts in between. Could have done better, but still good.… Expand
3 of 4 users found this helpful31
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7
rak_ibJul 11, 2017
The movie provides mid ranged excitements in total.If you are a fan of Emma Watson's acting you will love this because she really acted very well in this film.The film starts very interestingly slow down a bit in the middle then ends up withThe movie provides mid ranged excitements in total.If you are a fan of Emma Watson's acting you will love this because she really acted very well in this film.The film starts very interestingly slow down a bit in the middle then ends up with a little twist.Tom hanks acting feels like genuine.… Expand
3 of 4 users found this helpful31
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3
TVJerryMay 1, 2017
As a new employee for the world's largest tech company, Emma Watson is in almost every shot of this movie (Tom Hanks is sprinkled about). The Circle's innovative new social media app promises a benign Big Brother future, which she embraces…atAs a new employee for the world's largest tech company, Emma Watson is in almost every shot of this movie (Tom Hanks is sprinkled about). The Circle's innovative new social media app promises a benign Big Brother future, which she embraces…at first. Technology paranoia is nothing new and this plot explores no new ground. As a matter of fact, most of the time is spent discussing the issue and making presentations. The only scene of dire consequences is dumbly predictable. With a sci-fi setting you'd hope there would be some cool futuristic stuff, but other than the basic concept (which isn't that farfetched), it's pretty mundane. The film took a popular theme (and novel) and did nothing with the genre but bore us with too much talk.… Expand
5 of 7 users found this helpful52
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3
RichardGonciJul 7, 2017
What a dumb movie! Dumbest line, when the ever credulous character played by Emma Watson appears shocked that the "Cloud" is not actually a cloud! She is the world's worst kayaker on the world's cheesiest kayak. Her ever-vapid expressionsWhat a dumb movie! Dumbest line, when the ever credulous character played by Emma Watson appears shocked that the "Cloud" is not actually a cloud! She is the world's worst kayaker on the world's cheesiest kayak. Her ever-vapid expressions will make her a good candidate as one of the Steppford Wives, when some idiot remakes that film in a few years. And, Tom Hanks as a clone of Steve Jobs? Oh please, give me a break! Hanks waddles through the film as someone you would not be sure knew how to connect to the Internet... much less abuse it! More continuity errors than I would bore you with here. Yeccch!… Expand
4 of 6 users found this helpful42
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4
EpicLadySpongeApr 28, 2017
The Circle proves that even the greatest actors can even end themselves in a mediocre film. Not much can be explained here, but it may be showing us that this film tried so hard to end up what it is today. Unfortunately for us, the directorThe Circle proves that even the greatest actors can even end themselves in a mediocre film. Not much can be explained here, but it may be showing us that this film tried so hard to end up what it is today. Unfortunately for us, the director managed to end his great (or at least somewhere there) film streak with this mediocre attempt to join there in the first place.… Expand
4 of 6 users found this helpful42
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3
JohnnySeaApr 30, 2017
The acting was pretty good. The story was predictable. No suspense. But interestingly enough, two high school girls to my right, one empty seat between us, were texting the entire movie. They could not go 90 minutes without their phones.The acting was pretty good. The story was predictable. No suspense. But interestingly enough, two high school girls to my right, one empty seat between us, were texting the entire movie. They could not go 90 minutes without their phones. I doubt they made the connection that the movie was about them.… Expand
4 of 6 users found this helpful42
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3
Muskrat147Apr 29, 2017
Deprived of all narrative thrills and lacking a cohesive plot, The Circle is just be an all around disappointment, and its talented cast and director can't provide any help.
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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3
FyilJul 1, 2017
A pointless movie with a pointless story. You feel the intire time the movie is preparing you to a huge life lesson and plot twist, but neither of those ever happen. The ending is dull and meaningless. A real waste of the cast talent.
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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4
shpostalApr 28, 2017
We've been warned about "Big Brother", the surrender of privacy and all the horrors one can imagine in a high tech world ever since Orwell's "1984", or with a religious theocracy thrown in for even more of a horrible scenario, MargaretWe've been warned about "Big Brother", the surrender of privacy and all the horrors one can imagine in a high tech world ever since Orwell's "1984", or with a religious theocracy thrown in for even more of a horrible scenario, Margaret Atwood's equally terrifying "The Handmaid's Tale". But still, the future intrigues us all, and because I do like Tom Hanks a lot, and like Emma Watson too, "The Circle" was disappointing in its delivery and lack of menace that would have made a cautionary tale a very frightening one, which it should be. The premise is sound - "The Circle" basically is using false excuses to develop and sell technology that would totally destroy every last ounce of privacy of anybody using a phone, computer or even out in public with miniature spy cam/computers hidden all over the place. Cynics like myself contend that day is probably already here in one form or another, and the global impact described in the movie is in our near future because we are addicted to social media and in the name of "socializing" have idiotically surrendered every last vestige of personal privacy or freedom. For others who still have a bit of faith in humanity to draw the line before that scenario happens, it's a cautionary story at best, and where tragic things happen because of this intrusive company, it falls flat. I am surprised that Hanks and Watson were agreeable to this movie given its weakness and watered down version of what could happen. Watson's performance is flat, Tom Hanks simply isn't menacing enough to scare anybody, and the supposed "fix" for the problem is shallow at best, and contradictory as pulling off such a feat without a spoiler alert would be virtually impossible once you see the movie and see how sophisticated the supposed "Circle" and its computer might are supposed to be. So while it's not terrible, and serves its purpose to remind all of us how our civil rights are being taken away with no thought about it, and the necessity to do what we can to protect ourselves. As a captivating movie however, it's a dud.… Expand
3 of 5 users found this helpful32
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2
Brent_MarchantApr 30, 2017
Is it a thriller? A satire? Both? Neither? It's hard to tell, since the filmmakers obviously didn't know what they were doing or trying to achieve. This overwrought, unfocused mess can't decide what it wants to be. Despite a decentIs it a thriller? A satire? Both? Neither? It's hard to tell, since the filmmakers obviously didn't know what they were doing or trying to achieve. This overwrought, unfocused mess can't decide what it wants to be. Despite a decent performance by Tom Hanks and an attempt to address issues of social relevance (halfhearted though it may be), the picture's largely preposterous story line, monodimensional character development, and abysmal performances by Emma Watson and (especially) Ellar Coltrane sink this one rather quickly, leaving viewers longing for the ending far ahead of when it actually comes. Handily one of the biggest disappointments of the year thus far.… Expand
3 of 5 users found this helpful32
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3
eagleeyevikingSep 4, 2017
“The Circle” strands it’s star-studded cast in a tepid thriller whose inept script skims but never delves deep into a genuinely compelling premise. The acting is serviceable throughout, but the film itself feels incomplete, rushed, and is“The Circle” strands it’s star-studded cast in a tepid thriller whose inept script skims but never delves deep into a genuinely compelling premise. The acting is serviceable throughout, but the film itself feels incomplete, rushed, and is plain forgettable.… Expand
2 of 4 users found this helpful22
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2
JB1May 2, 2017
I was under the influence and normally that makes things better/funnier but it was just super boring couldn't imagine watching it sober... Emma's accent ugh
2 of 4 users found this helpful22
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2
SpangleOct 1, 2017
The Circle is a film that came out at the perfect time. With news reports rife with information about how integral Facebook or Google have become in our lives, how dependent we are on our phones, he loss of privacy, and the centralization ofThe Circle is a film that came out at the perfect time. With news reports rife with information about how integral Facebook or Google have become in our lives, how dependent we are on our phones, he loss of privacy, and the centralization of information to these corporations with profit-based incentives, The Circle could have been a film that shined a light into this dark world. Unfortunately, as it spins and sputters along, it becomes increasingly clear that this timely film with some thoughts and ideas on its mind is going nowhere. Seemingly never starting its engine and leaving its ideas undercooked, The Circle is a film that is filled with bloat and poor acting until it just ends with nary a whimper. While not boring and occasionally thought-provoking, The Circle is one of those films that just seems unfinished with the audience constantly waiting for the inciting action to occur, right up to the moment that the credits start rolling. The Circle introduces us to Mae Holland (Emma Watson). A boring girl who seems to do nothing but kayak and work at The Circle, Mae is a useless character but she is nonetheless the audience surrogate into this insane world. Getting a job at The Circle through her bland - but Scottish - friend Annie (Karen Gillan) and meeting the mysterious founder Ty (John Boyega) who is wary of what he creation became, Mae gets inducted into this cult of a workplace, hangs with CEO Eamon Bailey (Tom Hanks), and deals with her father's (Bill Paxton) multiple sclerosis as well as having to cope with seeing her parents have sex via a hidden camera. Dumping up exposition for the entire first act but never really explaining anything beyond "Mae really likes kayaking", The Circle (the company) remains a mystery. Seemingly a take on Facebook and social media, the film tosses out attempts to explain what it is and does so half-heartedly but nonetheless throws terms at the audience and companies (True You) that it assumes the audience will figure out what they are/mean, but never holds their hand. While this is welcome in many films, The Circle is not a film that can get away with this lax approach. Not only does it dump out exposition throughout about the inner workings of the company and Mae's family life only to come back and short change the audience on other crucial information, but this information seems to play a role in the story and relies on terms and sites that do not exist. Some explanation - even forced - would be welcome to let the audience acclimate.

In both dumping exposition and not, The Circle builds an interesting world on the campus of this mysterious social media giant that has its hands in everything and wants even more power, but it never seems to really go anywhere with all of this. Instead, the film introduces a new product that gives them even more product, cuts back to Mae's family life and her kayaking, before then hinting at some cover-up. In watching the film, it is assumed the plot will start here. But, no. Instead, we learn more about Mercer's (Ellar Coltrane) antler chandelier that he makes, his fights with people on social media about him being a "deer killer", Mae's attempts to be more transparent by broadcasting her life 24/7, and her strained relationships with everybody. Then, the film comes back and mentions the whole conspiracy thing again but then it forgets about it in time for the credits to roll. The Circle is a film that seems to never start or figure out what story it wants to tell. Is this a film about a company having too much power? Is it a film that pulls back the curtain to show how little privacy we have left? Is it a film that celebrates the lack of privacy? Is it a film about health care? Is it a film about Mae kayaking? The Circle certainly does not know, instead it barrels forward to a conclusion that might finally reveal what it was all about and building towards. However, with an ending to do nothing more than hint at more things to come, The Circle ends and will leave audiences wondering if scenes were abruptly cut off of the ending.

While The Circle never seems to figure out if it truly wants to be a techno-thriller with the plot to match, the film meanders about and seems reluctant to delve into a plot. Representing a lack of belief on the part of the writers in their ideas, the film seems content to just show Mae's kayaking, her adventures with Mercer, her facetime with Annie right before the climax, get used to working at The Circle, hang out at parties, and more. Avoiding the plot and the apparent shady dealings going on at The Circle to leave audiences guessing as to what Eamon was really up to at the company, the film is one with considerable bloat. Beating around the bush to the point that it drags considerably with excessive, unnecessary, and underdeveloped subplots, The Circle is a film that never dedicates adequate time to its story to make it one worth watching.… Expand
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7
BroyaxAug 16, 2018
Dans la lignée de la série polémique Black Mirror mais avec infiniment plus de subtilité, The Circle dresse un état des lieux très édifiant de la dictature 2.0 (ou plutôt 3.0 ici) des réseaux sociaux et de la proéminence très invasive d'uneDans la lignée de la série polémique Black Mirror mais avec infiniment plus de subtilité, The Circle dresse un état des lieux très édifiant de la dictature 2.0 (ou plutôt 3.0 ici) des réseaux sociaux et de la proéminence très invasive d'une multi-nationale tentaculaire du numérique, mélange projété dans un futur proche des GAFA actuels (Gogole-Apeule-Fècesbouc-Amacon).

Toujours à la frontière de la vraisemblance, le film brosse sans ménagement le comportement grégaire des camés du réseau social, du besoin de reconnaissance perpétuel, de la vanité et de l'exhibitionnisme institutionnalisé, puis du contrôle sans cesse plus important d'une seule société sur la vie des individus ou plutôt des moutons qui font "bêêêh" tous ensemble (selon la doctrine largement établie du #vivre_ensemble bien entendu).

Emma Watson se révèle étonnamment convaincante et même si elle ne l'était pas, on lui pardonnerait presque, tant son joli minois est si mignon (je m'en irais presque liker et me répandre en lickettes sur sa page gogolbouc si j'étais un pauvre fanboy de base...). Tom Hanks pour sa part en patron cynique et faux cul se révèle bien sûr excellent mais on n'en attendait pas moins de lui, même en barbu.

Toujours est-il que le scénario s'égare ici et là avec le personnage de John Boyega, pas crédible pour un sou -ni lui ni son personnage- et aussi à l'aise qu'un éléphant dans un magasin de porcelaines. Déjà que dans le Star Warz Disneyfié, il était particulièrement pitoyable, alors ici... Le film s'égare également sur sa fin en trompe-l'oeil, mi-figue mi-raisin et un brin dérisoire comme s'il n'osait pas aller au bout de son propos.

The Circle demeure néanmoins une fort sympathique tentative d'ouvrir les oeillères à bien des égards, souvent juste, parfois perdue en cours de route mais tout-à-fait digne d'intérêt.… Expand
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3
ethanstapleyDec 17, 2017
Decent ideas but very poorly executed. A terrible lead performance and the film is saved from pure embarrassment with a couple of decent turns from the likes of Tom Hanks and Karen Gillan. A pure let down.
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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3
ViniciusBritoJul 19, 2018
When a girl got a job in a giant company, a company that is getting investigate for crimes, she needs to sell the kind of social media that they created together with their features. While she is in the place seing peoples living only byWhen a girl got a job in a giant company, a company that is getting investigate for crimes, she needs to sell the kind of social media that they created together with their features. While she is in the place seing peoples living only by their phones and the privacy getting sacrificed in favor of the security and transparency that they call. This movie it's an adaptation of the book The Circle, and is directed by James Ponsoldt.
This does have a clearely critic about people that expose themselves to much in social medias, getting rid of their privacy a little each at a time, posting things every moment or showing where you are and are doing to the whole world in seconds. Also they talk about people that doesn't get out of the phone, and kind live there instead of real life. This is the most possible current discussion that they could do to reflect our society nowdays related to this movie, it makes you think in about it in the movie and this was a good point here.
The story in this movie is a big struggle, the conflict that the character is facing is introduce very further on the movie, so before that there is so many time spent with not important things for the story, it does have problems with continuity and the lack of creativity also it is problem that bother so much, the movie goes for simple places and simple ideas in the internet world, once that they choosed to go for this direction the could have thought in some different things, as the same time that this doesn't present nothing new, it doesn't excites in almost any aspect, the dialogues are not smart and doesn't seem organic and natural. The movie does some narrative choices that are so strange, like there is a character that create the whole thing, he lives among them all and no one know who he is or what is his name, this felt so out of place, they could have explained that a little more. The movie is repetitive in the most boring way as possible, the movie is completely clumsy, is like they didn't knew what they were doing. The movie have some quotes that are really dumb, the movie invents new concept of democracy, and that was ridiculous, it goes in the completely wrong way. The character seems to accpet some really crazy things during the movie, things like envolve almost torture and shocking things like it was nothing, doesn't questioning or anything, i got to think that it would reverberate later on the movie, but they don't go further. The build of the character was another awful thing, they trie to do one thing, but doesn't build it.
The acting is ok considering the material that they had to work with. Emma Watson have nice expressions and convince in some moments, she as the main character was a good reason that i was able to watch the movie till the end. Tom Hanks did a pretty good job, he did a great body movement with his character, he speak with clear and firmness, his speaches are probably the best thing in the whole movie. John Boyega is totally wasted here, he pretty much have nothing to do until the very end, and even with that he doesn't have any presence, but then again, it most likely not his fault considering the material that he had to work with. Karen Gillan did a nice job, her character feeling tired and have kind of a journey, have the same problems as John's one, the material wasn't the best to work with.
The cinematography it is cool, it does have some aspects that like shows what it is happening in the computer in a nice way, i enjoyed the aspects of technology showing up in the screen as they were popping up in a phone. The quality of the image while they are filming it is pretty nice, it really have an aspect of filming wich is ok. The camera keeps moving and that was nice.
The soundtrack isn't nothing special, in some moments it works, but in some things just feel so out of place that it is kind of ridiculous.
This movie wastes the opportunity to discuss important things in our society. The story is totally messed up, it does have some really dumb lines and the lack of reaction in some moments make this movie be a not good one.… Expand
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2
imperialwisdomJul 7, 2017
From someone who works in the industry that this film portrays, it does so not very well. Uneducated lapse on terminology and the ideology behind social media is completely miss stepped. This is a bad black mirror episode. Although it humoredFrom someone who works in the industry that this film portrays, it does so not very well. Uneducated lapse on terminology and the ideology behind social media is completely miss stepped. This is a bad black mirror episode. Although it humored me. To coin a phrase, not with you, at you.… Expand
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0
FreddyLives99Jun 22, 2017
“The Circle” is labeled as a thriller, and the trailers would also suggest that, but it’s as much of a thriller as “Saving Private Ryan” is a comedy. There are two scenes where characters find themselves in trouble, by their own stupidity,“The Circle” is labeled as a thriller, and the trailers would also suggest that, but it’s as much of a thriller as “Saving Private Ryan” is a comedy. There are two scenes where characters find themselves in trouble, by their own stupidity, mind you, but they feel so out of place with the tone of the rest of the film, which is light and happy. Let’s get into this non-thrilling plot. Mae, played by Emma Watson, is a new member of The Circle, a gigantic tech corporation. She does customer support, or something, and becomes part of a safe, overly-friendly community that likes to party and do improvisational comedy. Sound exciting yet? Mae quickly gets the attention of the head of the company, Bailey, played by Tom Hanks. Bailey makes Mae the face of The Circle after she hardly puts any effort into her job, and she couldn’t be happier. Bailey is the film’s antagonist, by the way, but none of his bad side is ever shown. He’s an inventor who has just created a wave of small, extra high tech cameras that are hard to detect and can survey the entire world. The idea of everyone being watched by cameras should tip you off right away that he’s a bad guy, but so many people are accepting of this idea, especially our main character. Most of Bailey’s scenes are of presentations, and the millions of audience members who show up for these presentations are all 100% on board with his ideas, when the average person watching this movie probably wouldn’t be… one hopes. These audiences are not made up of actual human beings, they are sheeple. When a presenter has an idea, they’re all for it, when a joke is made, they all laugh, when one starts a chant, they all join in. Whoever is leading the herd can change all their mindsets in an instant. There are too many presentations for one movie. Anyway, Mae has this friend who is not cool with being spied on, and tries to convince her that what The Circle is doing is wrong, but fails. The friend’s name is Mercer, and if you think you’ll forget that name, don’t worry, it’s repeated at least a hundred times throughout the film. People don’t like Mercer, and it’s for a very random reason, but the reason is also completely understandable, and I didn’t like him either. It’s clear the director wants you to feel sympathy for him, but that was impossible for me. John Boyega pops up a few times, and he’s set up to be a possible love interest for Emma Watson, but then he just isn’t, and is almost completely forgotten. Maybe the director was afraid to show an interracial relationship? Bill Paxton plays Mae’s father Vinnie, his last role ever, and he’s the reason why I stayed in my seat. I suffered through a lot of garbage just to see one of my childhood heroes in his final on-screen moments. Game over, man. Game over. “The Circle” is a light-hearted young adult drama posing as a sci-fi thriller. There should have been a sense of dread about living in an age of worldwide espionage where no one has privacy, but the director doesn’t know how to create tension, and this just becomes wasted potential. I could do so much more nitpicking. There are about as many random and unintentionally funny moments as “The Room”. This movie would work on a so-bad-it’s-good level if it wasn’t so long and dull. Though there is an impressive cast, don’t waste your time or money with “The Sheeple”.… Expand
2 of 5 users found this helpful23
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0
DALAMANTANADec 14, 2017
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I enjoyed that this movie simply whistle-blows on the ignorance of modern day tech companies. It's as if they try to motivate you to advocate for privacy or else... this movie would become real life. However the plot of this movie is not to be enjoyed. They slapped a few well known actors, like Tom Hanks expecting them to carry the movie to success. The real problem, I think, is the plot of this movie. Lets begin with Emma Watson (1) She gets this job at the circle then starts leading the world. Why? Cause she is a woman! If it was a man, the societal norm would be to make him die or something... who knows what's going through the director's mind. She not only completely eviscerates the concept of privacy, but kills and cries about it and doesn't care. She connects their camera with pretty much everything, even paying taxes! Wtf?!(2) Why does her friend have a mental breakdown and leave to Sweden or wherever? Why does Emma Watson cry? Is this the Circle a secret mental institution or what? (3) A normal movie would consist of her trying to BACK AWAY from this technology and stop invasion of privacy. It ends with her invading the privacy of the infamous Tom Hanks, the only decent actor on the show, but whatever. This shows female dominance, and that they can do whatever they want with the lower class males. To further, the technology can be used in any way they like cause they're basically god, right? Anyways, I would say this movie is trying to make a movement against invasion of privacy, but I mean, that's not what movies are for. 0/10… Expand
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1
ThechessrockerJul 29, 2017
One of the worst movies I've seen in my life.

The plot makes no sense, the characters make no sense, everybody is incredibly stupid to the point where it was painful to watch. You just spend the entire movie waiting for some kind of plotOne of the worst movies I've seen in my life.

The plot makes no sense, the characters make no sense, everybody is incredibly stupid to the point where it was painful to watch.

You just spend the entire movie waiting for some kind of plot twist to save the day, but no, it keeps digging deeper and deeper until the very last seconds with the worst ending I've seen for years.

Good actors, good base idea, all wasted.… Expand
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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3
Markarce1989Aug 24, 2017
The stupider the script, the stupider the actors get trying to act. The Circle is a horrible, sloppy movie with nothing except that Emma Watson trying to be an intellect person in the movie is as pathetic as she is in the real life. But gottaThe stupider the script, the stupider the actors get trying to act. The Circle is a horrible, sloppy movie with nothing except that Emma Watson trying to be an intellect person in the movie is as pathetic as she is in the real life. But gotta give credits to Tom Hanks, he tried so much not to laugh at the entire movie.… Expand
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3
benskylerhillApr 25, 2018
Goodness gracious, where do I begin? The Circle is the cinematic equivalent of toast with nothing on it. You've eaten toast a million times before in your life; there's nothing wrong with toast, you wouldn't mind eating another piece ofGoodness gracious, where do I begin? The Circle is the cinematic equivalent of toast with nothing on it. You've eaten toast a million times before in your life; there's nothing wrong with toast, you wouldn't mind eating another piece of toast, but when it's given to you with nothing on it, there is absolutely nothing to be enjoyed from the consumption of said toast.

The Circle is a film that is supposed to be some kind of warning about the dangers of advancing technology and the implications it can have regarding invasion of privacy. That concept has been done many, many times before and there's nothing wrong with doing it again. But holy cow is this movie just bland in every possible way.

This movie wastes its talented cast with a screenplay that not only offers no inspired dialogue, but doesn't even set up any compelling story or conflict for us as viewers to care about. In the film, there really isn't anyone who fights against the fact that privacy is being eviscerated, and it's not really portrayed as being a good or a bad thing. Whatever message The Circle was going for gets muddled in the completely dull and tedious conversations between the characters that really don't advance the plot. In fact, there really is no plot because nobody in the movie is trying to accomplish anything.

Visually, the movie is appealing enough, but the choppy editing mutes whatever striking visuals that were present. This movie had so much potential, but it just didn't build a story and I finished the film wondering why I had just spent 110 minutes watching people use social media and talk about it in as wishy-washy of a way that could ever be conjured up by screenwriters. Nothing happens in this movie; you're just as well off going to the park and watching other people go about their ordinary days.

Story: 2
Acting: 4
Script: 2.5
Visuals/Sound: 4.5
Entertainment Value: 3

MY RATING: 3.2/10… Expand
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8
fordemgoodMay 2, 2017
This moovie has many interesting ideas and shows problems of world nowadays. Although I pretty liked this film, there are some illogical scenes and deeds of characters. But I am not fastidious, so I think this is not a reason to skip thisThis moovie has many interesting ideas and shows problems of world nowadays. Although I pretty liked this film, there are some illogical scenes and deeds of characters. But I am not fastidious, so I think this is not a reason to skip this moovie.
P.S. Emma Watson is brilliant!… Expand
3 of 11 users found this helpful38
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7
MexicoCityPostMay 10, 2017
EpicLadySpongeApr 28, 2017
The Circle proves that even the greatest actors can even end themselves in a mediocre film. Not much can be explained here, but it may be showing us that this film tried so hard to end up what it is today.EpicLadySpongeApr 28, 2017
The Circle proves that even the greatest actors can even end themselves in a mediocre film. Not much can be explained here, but it may be showing us that this film tried so hard to end up what it is today. Unfortunately for us, the director… Expand
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10
toopancaMay 4, 2017
An insightful look ahead to the near future. A great tech movie that is really a people story about the ultimate human tech - society. A warning against passivity; a call to participation. Very well acted and directed. Serious sci-fi at its best.
3 of 13 users found this helpful310
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8
antonzhalobDec 12, 2021
Фильм показывает - что может быть с нами в самом ближайшем будущем! Этим он и подкупает зрителя.
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5
AWESOM-0Sep 12, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Although it’s clear what they are saying it still somehow feels like the messaging is muddled. It’s almost like the writer and director had two different ideas where this was heading. The cast is great but the middle to end was edited pretty badly. Knowing what we know about Emma Watson’s character,I think the transformations she had throughout the movie aren’t given enough weight, so they lose credibility.… Expand
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10
bTaoTotJul 31, 2020
The film is great the characters are some of the best in cinema. The idea of the job that the main character works at is excellent.
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0
PlinfiMar 6, 2022
This movie has lietarally nothing to say. It has a predictable story. The movie is only not boring for the last 5 minutes.
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9
Bat_TsaganJan 3, 2023
I personally found this movie terrifyingly good. The premise of 24/7 all round surveillance is an accurate and already scarily possible one with technology already available. I found Tom Hanks maybe mis-cast but he does an admirable jobI personally found this movie terrifyingly good. The premise of 24/7 all round surveillance is an accurate and already scarily possible one with technology already available. I found Tom Hanks maybe mis-cast but he does an admirable job anyway.

What it did for me was provoke an immediate reaction, one that it wouldn't let go for the entire span of the movie. It made me angry about the gullibility of the so-called generation z'ers that are the core characters, how could not see the crassness of what they are being fed, how could they not see "STRAIGHT AWAY" that 100% knowledge of all people known by a single entity "The Circle" is dangerous.

This gets an 9 because it prompted me to write my first ever review otherwise an 8.… Expand
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10
Kevin_Manning_Aug 26, 2023
"The Circle" captivates with the performances of Emma Watson and Tom Hanks. Watson's portrayal is both compelling and nuanced, drawing us into her character's journey. Tom Hanks adds his trademark charisma, creating a dynamic on-screen"The Circle" captivates with the performances of Emma Watson and Tom Hanks. Watson's portrayal is both compelling and nuanced, drawing us into her character's journey. Tom Hanks adds his trademark charisma, creating a dynamic on-screen presence. Their performances elevate the film, making "The Circle" an intriguing and thought-provoking cinematic experience that keeps you hooked from start to finish.… Expand
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