Hello! I'm back with another review about yet another game show from Netflix. I can spoil it all a little over here - this time, it's one that I quite enjoy. Obviously, it still has some flaws, but I am very positive about it. While it has multiple seasons, I will not focus on any of them - instead talk more about the idea for the show and what I like and dislike about it. Of course, I'll start with an explanation of what it is and how it works.
On another note, I'm watching White Collar currently, and plan to finally watch Arcane (as someone who's played a lot of Riot Games'.. well, games; it is a little embarrassing to admit I haven't seen it yet). In keeping up with the theme of movies/series about games I played way too much, I will also hopefully be seeing Warcraft soon. So.. Probably expect these three to be reviewed within my next 5 or so reviews - exciting, isn't it?! Anyway, let's move on to the actual post. Less rambling, more.. well.. Rambling, but on topic.
Synopsis/How It Works
The idea of the circle is to simulate the social media world - except in a completely sterile environment. First of all, the show consists of a number of participants that - as the series progresses - are eliminated from the show, while sometimes new ones are added.
The whole show takes place in a building that prevents the participants from ever meeting each other. Instead, they have to communicate via text messages, which they can send through voice-activated screens that are set up in each room of their quite spacious apartments. As you can imagine, this gives a lot of possibilities - just like in social media, they can act to be whoever they want: themselves, an improved version of themselves, or maybe even someone completely different.
Large bulk of the show is following the conversation between participants, as they have to build relationships - each episode ends with them voting on who they like most. The winners then get to communicate privately and decide who to kick out from the show. Many of the conversations are initiated by the contestants themselves, but sometimes the host introduces a small game for them to get to know each other in a more interesting way.
There are multiple twists throughout the episodes with new participants joining halfway through the game, boons being given to winners of some competitions and much more. In the end, the winner of the whole show gets to claim a pretty hefty monetary prize - so everyone definitely gives it their all!
My Opinion
While I do advocate for recognizing shows' goals while reviewing them, I am generally fairly negative about reality shows. They aren't my thing and I usually only watch them with one eye while my girlfriend does so - in between setting up Rabona lineups, playing Splinterlands or writing posts. The Circle is.. different. While I did that through the first episodes I've seen, I ended up getting hooked and watched most of the versions that are currently out. Actually, there is a new season out right now!
First of all, the idea of this show is.. not toxic. That might not be much, but I've seen (and reviewed) Love Is Blind, seen Too Hot To Handle and a few more - those were just ridiculous. Either a bunch of people actively trying to act dumb, or a show idea that screams "wrong". The Circle isn't like that. It will not have lasting negative consequences on participants' lives (like, you know, getting married to someone you know for a month), and it also shows an interesting perspective on how social media works, while being entertaining.
The Social Media Part
It is just interesting to watch how the relationships develop in this group setting, where everyone is trying to show the best of themselves - but not so good that it seems fake. The goal is to make people like you, but not see you as a threat - it is a game where one really has to balance what they act like. It is social media without background noise of a real life and the show really does a good job at it.
I'd like to write a separate paragraph about catfishing - it is often quite funny to watch how the person struggles to keep up the persona. Watching the real ones uncover the catfishes is also a big part of the game and in a way everyone who comes as themselves has a personal goal of exposing a catfish. So far, in the shows I've watched, many of the fake characters were very interesting.
It also makes you think of why people might act like someone else when on SM. There were all kinds of participants that were catfishing. Guys take on personas of girls because they believe it'll be easier to flirt and make relationships. Girls become guys, due to thinking it'll give them an edge - they can act dumb and easy. There are small guys acting as muscular ones, big girls acting as slim - all to be a more attractive potential friend. Though to me, in the end it is the real ones I develop a stronger bond with.
The Contestants
What makes or breaks this kind of a show is the casting. It does not matter how good the idea is, if your characters are boring, there is no saving it. I find that the Circle does something incredibly well when it comes to this. Sure, there are some flops here and there, but overall, they do really well at finding people that know how to express themselves.
With a show about staring at a screen and talking to it, if you're not able to articulate your thoughts, you won't be a good participant. Clearly, something about the casting is done well, because it is made easy for us to get inside contestants' minds and see what they are trying to do and why they play the way they play. I found it so simple to develop interest in the people who were part of the show and decide for myself who I like and who I do not - not something I always experience with shows like this.
Closing Words
Overall, the Circle is a fun watch. It is interesting, it doesn't require full and undivided attention and it even has a bit of a message that comes with it. I wouldn't call it perfect, as there are some hiccups and sometimes I wish I could learn more about someone that gets quite omitted - but in general I cannot complain much. Instead, I am excited to see yet another season once it is completely out!