Best on Netflix: Circle

(imdb.com)

Netflix has a lot of weird movies. Their collection of horror is often pulled from far reaches of the industry and features some of the best (and worst) in odd finds. For those willing and able to sift through the heaps of questionable films, there are some secret troves of promise. Circle is one of those hidden gems.

Set up like an alien-meets-saw-meets-social-experiment, Circle is like that game played in civics class where a group of people must decide who, out of a fictional group, would be allowed in a bunker for an apocalypse. Abducted by some unknowns, the group of players must remain standing and decide who to kill off in each round, leaving one to survive. Breaking the rules comes with consequences, and by the film's end, audiences can expect to be engrossed.

Circle stars a huge ensemble of relatively unknown performers who definitely do their fair share of legwork making this movie way better than it could have been. Featuring different careers, personalities and problems, a large majority of the participants are able to provide enough depth to make viewers care. Stars like Michael Nardelli (Revenge) who plays Eric, a relatively standard and level-headed character, and Allegra Masters (Extremely Decent) as a young pregnant women are especially noteworthy for their roles.

The strongest aspect of Circle is its pacing and ability to keep the attention of viewers. Because the entire film takes place in a singular dark room, dialogue takes center stage. Watching as the group tries to decide who to kill off and when is the purest drama. It’s like watching your favorite reality TV show but instead of a prosthetic leg being thrown, its votes to condemn a rude businessman. The cast's ability to toss ideas and argue in a way that never feels repetitive is noteworthy and viewers are sure to enjoy the ease at which this film can be watched.

The simplicity of Circle doesn't allow the space for many flaws. Even just one noticeable flaw would most certainly topple this movie because of its thin plot. Instead, Circle keeps attention on its positives by capturing the wonderment of who will live. Circle is very confident in itself and never takes itself that seriously, which is important for a movie without a lot of twists and turns.

Circle is as strategic as Survivor but is a much quicker game with far greater consequences. It’s not the classiest, but for such a simple plot it's pretty thoughtful. It's a take on human nature that is probably more realistic than some dramas out there, even if the way it gets there isn't realistic. Circle is worth a watch for fans of games.