This movie was so bad I think it became good at one point. Without spoiling the entire plot within the opening sentence of this Circle Movie Review, the basic premise is some people stand together in a room and are almost immediately electrocuted/evaporated/unknown. This outcome is chosen by the people and/or at random. There is an assumed reason for why it happens but the movie doesn’t really explain much of anything. Except for at the end when it sort of explains something but not really. People like movies like that. The only thing better is reviews that follow the same format. So here it is!
The movie starts off much like any other low-budget, independent film: strangers standing together in a semi-conscious state, yelling, and then quickly engaging in a casually racist discussion. These people are literally standing in a circle in a completely black room. Clearly the movie blew all of its budget on these unknown actors and couldn’t afford an actual set. Fans of movies where minorities survive until the end and/or are killed off within minutes will be very confused with this one. So after some initial deliberation and confusion, some of the plot is revealed and the main characters are either killed off or you wish would be next.
The game they are playing for reasons unbeknownst to them is essentially Russian Roulette meets Survivor meets Circle. As a group, these strangers must use their apparent mind powers to select the next victim. This pleases the all-seeing eye in the middle of the room as it determines who it will vanquish. Every couple of minutes, the eye uses a sound to indicate a new vote is needed. Despite their best efforts to avoid having to vote or forcing a tie, a vote must occur and there can be no ties. Whilst standing a circle within the black room, the people extend one hand, open their palms, and twist ever so slightly to make their selection. Like any other election, once a person has been identified, they are hit with some weird beam of energy, fall to the ground, and slide away into oblivion. Pretty standard stuff.
One-by-one the people are eliminated. Alliances form and are quickly obliterated. People who remained silent suddenly choose to speak and immediately put a target on their own chest. Usually this is because of something racist but also extends to lying about relationship statuses and accusing others of unpopular career choices. Really a mixed bag. It’s a lot of fun guessing who will be next until you realize an hour has gone by. You’re somehow both invested in the movie and want it to just end. A real roller coaster of emotions.
Circle Movie Review Final Thoughts
The ending of the movie is aliens. Spoiler alert. Without giving away the details, the movie sort of has an implied conclusion that this is a never-ending game. Hopefully this is not setting up a miserable sequel but instead implies while the movie could have continued, the writers smartly chose to end it.
Was it a good movie? Was this a good Circle Movie Review? Only time will tell. Or you can let me know on social media or by clicking this fancy link. Or just don’t worry about it because this movie was terrible and no one should talk about it again.
