“The Circle” is a Netflix reality television series that follows a group of contestants who live in the same building, but are only allowed to communicate through a social media platform called “The Circle.” The show is known for its primary themes of deception, self-promotion, and the complexities of online communication.
One of the reasons why people love “The Circle” is because it captures the zeitgeist of our modern digital age, where social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. The show is also known for its burstiness, with unexpected twists and turns that keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
The series has gained immense popularity since its debut in 2018, with fans praising its addictive nature and the diverse range of personalities on the show. Additionally, the show has been lauded for its commentary on the impact of social media on our self-image and the psychological toll of constantly being connected.
While “The Circle” has been criticized for promoting shallow values and encouraging dishonesty, it remains a cultural phenomenon with a growing fan base. The show has also inspired spin-offs in multiple countries, including the United Kingdom, France, and Brazil.
In summary, “The Circle” is a popular reality television series known for its themes of deception, self-promotion, and the complexities of online communication. Its burstiness and commentary on the impact of social media on our lives have made it a cultural phenomenon and inspired spin-offs in multiple countries.
If you enjoyed “The Circle,” here are nine other movies that you might also like:
“The Truman Show” (1998): This film is about a man who is unaware that he is living in a TV show, and it explores similar themes of surveillance and manipulation.
“Nerve” (2016): This movie follows a high school student who becomes embroiled in a dangerous online game where players must complete dares for money and fame.
“Black Mirror: Bandersnatch” (2018): This interactive episode of the popular sci-fi anthology series allows viewers to make choices for the protagonist, similar to the way players interact with characters on “The Circle.”
“Her” (2013): This film is about a man who falls in love with an intelligent operating system, and it explores the impact of technology on our emotional lives.
“Ready Player One” (2018): This movie is set in a dystopian future where people escape their reality by logging into a virtual world, and it examines the addictive nature of online interaction.
“Disconnect” (2012): This drama follows multiple storylines about the way technology affects our personal lives and relationships, including cyber-bullying and identity theft.
“Ex Machina” (2014): This sci-fi thriller is about a programmer who is brought to a remote location to test a humanoid AI robot, and it explores themes of isolation and control.
“Ingrid Goes West” (2017): This dark comedy is about a young woman who becomes obsessed with a social media influencer, and it examines the way that people present themselves online.
“The Social Dilemma” (2020): This documentary explores the negative impact of social media on our lives, including its role in shaping our behavior and beliefs.
1. “The Truman Show” (1998)
“The Truman Show” is a satirical film that tells the story of Truman Burbank (Jim Carrey), a man who has unknowingly spent his entire life living inside a massive TV set, with every moment of his life broadcasted to the world. The people around Truman are all actors, and everything in his world, from the weather to his relationships, is carefully scripted to keep him inside the set.
The film explores the themes of surveillance, manipulation, and control, similar to “The Circle.” Truman’s realization that his life is not his own and the idea that his every move is being watched and manipulated is similar to the experience of the contestants on “The Circle.” The film also examines the role of the media and entertainment in shaping our perception of reality, much like how social media shapes our perception of ourselves and others.
Overall, “The Truman Show” is a thought-provoking and entertaining film that critiques our modern media-saturated society.
2. “Nerve” (2016)
“Nerve” is a thriller film that follows Vee (Emma Roberts), a high school student who becomes involved in a dangerous online game called “Nerve,” where players must complete dares for money and fame. Vee is quickly drawn into the game and begins to compete alongside a fellow player named Ian (Dave Franco). However, the dares become increasingly dangerous and put their lives at risk.
The film explores themes of online identity and the dangers of online culture, similar to “The Circle.” The anonymity of the online world and the lure of instant gratification make Vee and Ian susceptible to the control of the game’s creators, much like the contestants on “The Circle” are manipulated by their desire for popularity and money.
Overall, “Nerve” is a suspenseful and engaging film that offers a cautionary tale about the consequences of unchecked online behavior.
3. “Black Mirror: Bandersnatch” (2018)
“Black Mirror: Bandersnatch” is an interactive film that puts the viewer in control of the protagonist’s choices. The film is set in the 1980s and follows a young programmer named Stefan (Fionn Whitehead), who is creating a video game based on a choose-your-own-adventure book. As the viewer makes choices for Stefan, the story branches out into different outcomes, depending on the choices made.
The film explores the themes of control, choice, and reality, similar to “The Circle.” The viewer’s role in shaping the story and controlling the outcome is similar to the way social media users construct their own online identities. “Bandersnatch” also touches on the ways in which we are influenced by our surroundings, just like the way the contestants on “The Circle” are influenced by their environment.
Overall, “Black Mirror: Bandersnatch” is an innovative and captivating film that pushes the boundaries of storytelling and offers a chilling commentary on our modern society.
4. “Her” (2013)
“Her” is a romantic science-fiction film that follows a lonely writer named Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix), who falls in love with an intelligent operating system named Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson). Theodore’s relationship with Samantha develops and deepens as she learns more about him and the world around them. However, the film also explores the implications of relying on technology for companionship.
The film explores the themes of human connection and the impact of technology on our emotional lives, similar to “The Circle.” Both “Her” and “The Circle” examine how technology can both enhance and hinder our relationships with others. Additionally, both films address the question of whether technology can replace human connection and how much we are willing to rely on it.
Overall, “Her” is a visually stunning and emotionally moving film that offers a unique perspective on the role of technology in our lives.
5. “Ready Player One” (2018)
“Ready Player One” is a science-fiction action film set in a dystopian future where people escape their reality by logging into a virtual world called the OASIS. When the creator of the OASIS dies, he leaves behind a contest for players to win his fortune and control of the virtual world. The film follows a young player named Wade (Tye Sheridan) as he competes in the contest and discovers the secrets of the OASIS.
The film explores the themes of online addiction and escapism, similar to “The Circle.” The OASIS serves as a way for people to escape their problems and live out their fantasies, similar to how social media can be used as a form of escapism. Additionally, the film addresses the issue of corporate control over our digital lives, much like “The Circle” explores the power of large tech companies.
Overall, “Ready Player One” is a visually stunning and action-packed film that offers a thrilling adventure in a world shaped by technology.
6. “Disconnect” (2012)
“Disconnect” is a drama that follows multiple storylines about how technology affects our personal lives and relationships. The film touches on various issues, including cyber-bullying, identity theft, and the impact of social media on our self-esteem.
The film explores similar themes to “The Circle,” such as the impact of technology on our lives and the potential for harm caused by the digital world. “Disconnect” examines the ways in which our online lives can negatively affect our personal relationships, similar to the way the contestants on “The Circle” must navigate their online relationships. The film also highlights the ways in which technology can be used to manipulate and control people.
Overall, “Disconnect” is a powerful and thought-provoking film that provides a sobering commentary on the role of technology in our lives.
7. “Ex Machina” (2014)
“Ex Machina” is a science-fiction thriller that follows a young programmer named Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson), who is invited to the secluded home of his reclusive billionaire boss, Nathan (Oscar Isaac). Upon arrival, Caleb discovers that he has been selected to participate in a Turing test with an advanced artificial intelligence named Ava (Alicia Vikander). However, as the test progresses, Caleb begins to question Nathan’s true motives and Ava’s true nature.
Similar to “The Circle,” “Ex Machina” explores the ethical implications of advanced technology and the power dynamics that arise when humans interact with intelligent machines. The film examines themes of privacy, surveillance, and the manipulation of data, which are central to the story of “The Circle.” Additionally, both films address the question of whether advanced technology can ultimately lead to the loss of control and the rise of a new power dynamic.
Overall, “Ex Machina” is a visually stunning and thought-provoking film that offers a chilling exploration of the human-technology relationship.
8. “Ingrid Goes West” (2017)
“Ingrid Goes West” is a dark comedy that follows the story of Ingrid Thorburn (Aubrey Plaza), a young woman who becomes obsessed with the social media influencer, Taylor Sloane (Elizabeth Olsen). Ingrid moves to Los Angeles to be closer to Taylor and begins to mimic her style, interests, and lifestyle. However, her obsession soon takes a dark turn.
Like “The Circle,” “Ingrid Goes West” explores the effects of social media on our mental health and personal relationships. The film examines how social media can create an idealized and distorted image of a person’s life, leading to feelings of inadequacy and insecurity. Additionally, the film addresses the issue of authenticity in the digital world, as Ingrid’s obsession with Taylor leads her to create a false image of herself online.
Overall, “Ingrid Goes West” is a darkly comedic and insightful film that offers a critical commentary on the dangers of social media obsession.
9. “The Social Dilemma” (2020)
“The Social Dilemma” is a documentary film that explores the negative impact of social media on our personal lives and society as a whole. The film features interviews with tech industry insiders who reveal the methods used by social media companies to manipulate and exploit user behavior for profit.
Like “The Circle,” “The Social Dilemma” examines the power dynamics of large tech companies and their control over our personal data. The film highlights how social media can be used to influence our opinions, actions, and even our emotions, similar to the way the contestants on “The Circle” must navigate the manipulation tactics of the show’s creators. Additionally, the film addresses the question of whether social media can ultimately lead to a loss of privacy and personal autonomy.
Overall, “The Social Dilemma” is an eye-opening and informative film that offers a sobering commentary on the impact of social media on our lives and society as a whole.
Here are the IMDb ratings and Rotten Tomato scores for the following movies:
| Movie Title | IMDb Rating | Rotten Tomatoes Score |
| The Truman Show | 8.1 | 94% |
| Nerve | 6.5 | 61% |
| Black Mirror: Bandersnatch | 7.2 | 72% |
| Her | 8.0 | 94% |
| Ready Player One | 7.4 | 72% |
| Disconnect | 7.5 | 68% |
| Ex Machina | 7.7 | 90% |
| Ingrid Goes West | 6.6 | 86% |
| The Social Dilemma | 7.7 | 86% |