Review of The Circle (2017) by Daniel O — 12 Mar 2018

"Privacy was only temporary...and now it's over." Rarely has a film missed the point of its own story as completely as The Circle does. After getting a job with a tech company Mae Holland quickly becomes a rising star who pushes for more and more access to people's lives through mobile devices; alienating her friends and family along the way.

Rather than learning a lesson about the importance of a person's right to privacy the heroine (and by extension the filmmakers) double down and call for the complete elimination of privacy. And, the Orwellian hell of constantly being monitored and being forced into the system is treated more as a coming reality and positive than cautionary.

Starring Emma Watson, Tom Hanks, Karen Gillan, and John Boyega, the cast is pretty good and delivers solid performances. Additionally, the script does a fairy job at building mystery and intrigue as to a possible sinister plot within the Circle and its new programs.

Despite getting the message wrong, The Circle is a compelling dramatic thriller that examines the frightening possibilities that technology can bring.