The Circle (2017)

The Circle sets out to explore the consequences of a world overrun with technology. While I liked the message it was trying to send, ultimately it did not deliver as much as it could have.

The film is based on the book by the same name which I have not read so this review is based purely on the film. I do not know if the book did a better job of achieving the message it was trying so hard to send.

The Circle boasts a dynamic, star-studded cast, but this is not enough to save the film.

The story follows Mae (Emma Watson) who begins working at the Circle. There are many perks to working at the company, but there are big downfalls to it as well.


While Mae is the main character, it is unclear what her purpose in the film is. One minute she loves Eamon's (Tom Hanks) of making sure privacy is a right no one has anymore. Then she's suddenly against it and joins with her best friend Annie (Karen Gillan) and social media founder Ty (John Boyega).

I was excited to watch this film based purely on the cast, but I left the theatre feeling empty. Seeing Mae go through these transitions should ignite anger and fear, yet there is none of that.

There are things to fear about the Circle such as the need to join TruYou, the company's social media site. Every Friday the company goes to a meeting with boss Eamon and they learn about all the progress the company is bringing to the world, yet no one seems concerned about the lack of privacy.

Mae, at first, is appalled by these improvements. Then she suddenly decides to share her every moment of every day with the world. Then once again she changes her mind and there are never any clear transitions as to why she changes her mind so often.

The Circle could have been a downright scary glimpse into the future, but ultimately does not know where to focus and how to drive these fears home.

I personally would like to keep my privacy and there are others who would not mind sharing all the intimate details of their life and with social media these options are not too outrageous to think. Yet the consequences are never truly touched on in the film and this is where the real tragedy lies.

2/5 Stars

Pg-13

Emma Watson, Tom Hanks, Patton Oswalt, John Boyega, Karen Gillan, Bill Paxton

1 hour, 50 minutes