Synopsis
“Circle” is a psychological thriller produced in the year 2015 in the USA. The film is nearly set in one place the entire time. Mystery is central to the plot because the movie starts with the revelation of the eleven strangers who, for some reason, track stand on different positions of a red dot in what seems to be a circular room. They have no memories on how they arrived and where they currently are. It is quite evident that, if any of the elements in more than one location are there, and that invisible tendril behaves with them in the same manner and pulls them as far out of the assemblage as possible, one is sighting at some in the spaced placements of singular black floating dot, they move sideways.
As the people try to comprehend what is happening, they see something terrible — a member of the circle has been taken by some hidden force. It soon becomes evident that at the end of every few minutes, a member of the circle will be selected and vanished in this manner. But what is the method of selection?
The participants soon realize that they are able to influence the outcome to some degree. Using hand gestures, they can collectively — and without revealing their identity — choose who is next. The unfortunate reality of the situation is that they possess the decision-making power to choose who among them is going to stay and who is going to leave. They do not only take part in some game, they control the very brutal and ruthless elimination system at play.
The conversations between the fifty people turn into discussions and arguments as the film progresses further. Every single delicacy which involves a social construct, moral principle or personal ethics is put under a serious scanner. Judgments are made on the basis of age, ethnicity, profession, social class, and even personal beliefs. One of the arguments is that the ‘elders’ should be the first ones to go because they are selfishly depriving the ‘younger’ generation of a chance. Another side argues that those who have a ‘family’ should be granted the right to live. While the last side believes that the most ‘sensitive’ are the ones who ought to be held: ‘doctors’, ‘educators’, and even those who boast of ‘saving’ lives.
The circle of people begins to grow smaller and smaller, as with each decision made, another person dies. Increasingly hostile emotions are being demonstrated as the entire group begins to form and dissolve alliances. Defamation is rampant, driving people to emotional appeals, deceit, and disingenuous strategies in hopes of winning a particular stage in the game.
The intricacy of the problem gets worse as the amount of survivors shrinks. Who gets selected, and is there possible a system? Is there an answer, or is the whole thing a sadistic puzzle, designed to make one suffer?
In the end, there is a small number of survivors. A young pregnant woman, a small child, and a few adults. They engage in a final round of intense emotional and moral exercises. Some participants arguing the child and the unborn child should be protected, as tokens of the past and the future. Other participants seeing the contest as a battle where one and only one is declared the victor.
The final twist of the game is quite shocking. Although, it is absent of any sound. This adds an eerie element to the game while also shedding light on the character of the last person standing. The film leaves something to be desired in terms of clarity, however, it does make bold statement about humanity.
“Circle” also features a colossal cast. Most of whom are relatively unknown, which aids in improving the films element of realism. Due to the plethora of characters in the film, only a select few are the main focus.
Key Cast Members:
Michael Nardelli as Eric: He is a patient man who keeps cool whenever emotions run high. He further assists with the critical parts of the film.
Julie Benz as the Woman in the Red Dress: A confident member who takes the initiative and actively participates in the framing of the dialogue.
Carter Jenkins as the Young Man: One of the youthful characters and is critical in the dying scenes of the movie.
The characters of Lawrence Kao, Allegra Masters, Daniel Lench, and several others embody different opinions and cultures.
The uniqueness of the cast comes not from individual stardom but from the group’s formidable chemistry and tension. Each performer plays an integral role in building the film’s atmosphere of paranoia, fear, and moral dilemma.
Directors and Writers:
Directed by: Aaron Hann and Mario Miscione.
Written by: Aaron Hann and Mario Miscione.
The twinned directors carve out a taut and minimalist thriller, relying on economical setting and rich dialogue, rather than dazzling effects and sweeping visuals. Their style of storytelling is decisive and unsparing, showing the reflection of the society’s norms and values in the time of distress.
In a single “Circle” there is no narrator, no backstory, no explanation until the end and there is literally no explanation at all until the end. Writings is crucial in “Circle” because the entire plot structure pivots around the dialogue and the decisions made. The tension is created through the conversation and the writing skillfully distributes the tension between each character and ideology.
IMDb Ratings
IMDb Score: 6.0/10
Although 6.0 is not the worst score, it does not seem that high relative to a movie that has a very divided response, which is fair for a movie that focuses on hard decisions and different points of view.
Critical Reception:
“Circle” is a movie which has been called for its high pace and complexity of circles. The only room in the movie and conversation makes it a psychological piece of theater revealing a bit more about the nature of man at every turn.
The critics have appreciated the movie for social commentary that does not have to be masked under a lot of action or suspense. The absence of a central hero, the lack of action at the passing of real time and an unorthodox use of effects all help in establishing a unique atmosphere for the movie.
While some reviewers appreciated how the film presented moral dilemmas, others found the film too depressing or overly vague. Most notably, the film’s ambiguity has drawn both praise and criticism.
Audience Response:
Audience reviews span the spectrum. Many viewers perceived the film to be highly controversial and to invoke deep feelings. It generated discussions regarding morality, justice, equality, and self-preservation.
On the contrary, some viewers recoiled at the perceived monotony and untold frustration, especially since the film has almost no backstory. Although some found the lack of backstory to be quite deflating, others appreciated how this focus was made to highlight the intense moral conflicts present in the relationships between the characters.
Conclusion
A film like “Circle” (2015) is an anomaly. It has minimalist production but its ideas are profound. By removing everything but people and their choices, it is able to examine the principles underlying the values we use to judge other people. It has a fundamentally intense structure while simultaneously asking: What is it we truly value? How do we assign value to things? And in the end, given a choice, what kind of a person do we become?
Agree with its ultimate conclusions or not, “Circle” is the kind of film that seems to linger forever after the last credits have finished rolling. It is not a form of passive entertainment, but a film that encourages thought, dialogue, and perhaps even a degree of personal introspection.
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