The Circle
Seen it?2000 | 91 min | Drama
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (94% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 31 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in another language, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Various women struggle to function in the oppressively sexist society of contemporary Iran.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 85 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.0 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Won 1 Venice award: Golden Lion.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$756K worldwide on a $10K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 31K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Jafar Panahi
- Nargess MamizadehNargess
- Maryiam Palvin AlmaniArezou
- Mojgan FaramarziMojgan - Prostitute
- Elham SaboktakinElham - Nurse
- Monir ArabMonir - Ticket Seller
- Maede TahmasbiMaedeh
- Maryam ShayeganParveneh
- Fereshteh Sadr OrafaeePari
- Solmaz PanahiSolmaz
- Fatemeh NaghaviNayer