🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Aaron Hann
- Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
- Release year: 2015
- Runtime (length): 1h 27min
- IMDb rating: 6.0/10 (69K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 46%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Fifty strangers participate in the world’s deadliest game of ‘Among Us,’ but with more existential dread and fewer emergency meetings.
🍿 Circle: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Mysterious Awakening
Fifty strangers find themselves standing on individual circles in a dark room. They have no memory of how they got there. Soon, a mysterious orb in the center of the room begins eliminating them one by one, every two minutes. Panic and confusion grip the group as they try to understand their predicament.

The Power to Choose
The strangers soon realize they can influence who dies next by collectively voting. This discovery leads to intense debates, moral dilemmas, and the surfacing of prejudices and biases. Alliances form and break as each person tries to survive. The initial attempts at logical reasoning quickly devolve into ruthless self-preservation.

Moral Decay and Final Choices
As the group dwindles, the remaining members grapple with increasingly difficult choices. The discussion focuses on who is ‘worthy’ of survival. The film explores themes of sacrifice, manipulation, and the dark side of human nature when faced with death. Ultimately, a shocking betrayal leads to an unexpected survivor.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Eric (Michael Nardelli): A young man who initially tries to save others, but ultimately prioritizes his own survival through manipulation and deceit.
- The Pregnant Girl (Allegra Masters): A pregnant woman whose life becomes a central point of debate as the group considers the value of multiple lives versus one.
- The Young Girl (Ashley Key): A young girl who is initially seen as innocent and deserving of protection, but becomes a pawn in the group’s survival strategies.
- The African American Man (Mustafa Speaks): A man who speaks out against the perceived racial bias in the voting process, highlighting issues of prejudice within the group.
- The Cop (NA): A character who quickly devolves into expressing racist sentiments, becoming a target for elimination due to his bigotry.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- The African American Man: “Wait what? F*** y’all man!” – His outraged response when the soldier suggests everyone vote for the black guy, highlighting racial bias.
- The Soldier: “Alright, everybody vote for the black guy.” – This line encapsulates the snap judgements and prejudices that quickly surface as people try to find a reason to vote each other out.
- Eric: “Maybe they’re studying us. Seeing what we value.” – Eric’s theory encapsulates the underlying theme of the film, questioning human morality and societal values under extreme pressure.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $250,000
- Domestic Gross: Unknown
- Worldwide Gross: Unknown
💥 Circle Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I watched ‘Circle’ last night, and wow, it messed with my head! The premise is insane – 50 people forced to vote each other off, and it gets brutal fast. I was constantly wondering what *I* would do. The ending? Totally didn’t see that coming! I had to talk it out with my roommates for like an hour after. Definitely a conversation starter.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of psychological thrillers”
- “Viewers interested in social commentary”
- “People who enjoy movies with thought-provoking moral dilemmas”
- “Those who like low-budget, high-concept films”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence and death”
- “Mature themes including prejudice and discrimination”
- “Disturbing situations”
- “Strong language”
Professional Reviews
- IndieWire: “‘Circle’ delivers a chilling, thought-provoking social experiment with a minimalist approach, forcing viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about human nature.
- Variety: “The film’s strength lies in its tight premise and exploration of group dynamics under extreme pressure, though the ending might leave some viewers wanting more.
- ScreenAnarchy: “Circle is a tense and gripping thriller that uses its limited setting to maximum effect, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere that amplifies the moral dilemmas faced by its characters.
Audience Reactions
The movie’s unexpected twists kept me on the edge of my seat!: Viewers appreciated the movie’s exploration of morality and the challenging questions it raised about human nature.
I love how much it made me think about what I’d do in that situation.: Many found the film gripping due to the intensity it creates with such a simple premise.
Overall Consensus: A thought-provoking and tense thriller that explores morality, though some viewers found the ending unsatisfying.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film was shot in just eight days.”
- “To maintain the tension and claustrophobic atmosphere, the actors were largely kept in the dark about the script’s developments.”
- “The limited set design and reliance on dialogue were intentional choices to focus on the ethical and moral dilemmas faced by the characters.”
- “The alphabetical order of the cast in the credits is a nod to the film’s themes of impartiality and randomness, despite the characters’ attempts to find order in their situation.”
🖥️ How to Watch Circle?
Currently, ‘Circle’ is available for streaming on various platforms. Check services like Tubi for free streaming options with ads. You may also find it available for rent or purchase on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Availability may vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Circle, you might like these similar films:
- Cube (1997): Strangers trapped in a deadly, inescapable environment, forced to figure out the rules to survive.
- Exam (2009): A group of strangers take a seemingly impossible exam where only one can ‘win’.
- Would You Rather (2012): People forced to play a deadly game with impossible choices.
- The Platform (2019): A vertical prison where inmates at the top get more food than those below, testing the limits of human compassion.
🛒 Circle Related Products
- The Cube [Blu-ray]: Experience the claustrophobic dread of ‘Cube’, another mind-bending thriller about strangers trapped in a deadly environment. A must-have for fans of psychological horror and suspense.
- SAW: The Complete Movie Collection: Dive into the twisted world of Jigsaw with the complete SAW collection. A series of games that forces people to make difficult choices. A must have for horror fans.
- Among Us: Play Among Us with friends and family. Find the Imposter before it’s too late.
- Custom Designed Circle Movie Poster: Display your love for this cult thriller with a custom-designed poster. Choose from various sizes and finishes to perfectly match your space and showcase your appreciation for indie horror.
🎧 Soundtrack
Circle features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Ticking Clock” – performed by Sound Effects Library
- “Suspenseful Ambience” – performed by Various Artists
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Circle is a social commentary exploring human nature when faced with a life-or-death situation. It delves into themes of prejudice, morality, and the choices people make under extreme pressure.
Eric is the sole survivor of the deadly game in ‘Circle’. He achieves this through a calculated betrayal at the very end.
Fifty strangers are trapped in a room and forced to vote to kill each other off, one by one, every two minutes. They quickly learn they have the power to choose who dies next.
🔥 Bonus Content
Dan Harmon Story Circle: 8 Proven Steps to Better Stories
Ever wonder what makes a good story tick? This video breaks down Dan Harmon’s Story Circle, using ‘The Dark Knight’ as an example. It’s super insightful and makes you realize how much thought goes into crafting a compelling narrative!
I Wrote A Screenplay In 48 Hours
Want to see how a screenplay actually gets written? This video follows the process of someone writing a screenplay in just 48 hours, using Dan Harmon’s Story Circle. It’s a cool look behind the curtain and kinda inspiring!
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