The Circle (2017) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
A young tech worker takes a job at a powerful Internet corporation, quickly rises up the company's ranks, and soon finds herself in a perilous situation concerning privacy, surveillance and freedom. She comes to learn that her decisions and actions will determine the future of humanity.
Rated PG-13 • 2017 • 1h 50m
The Circle explores the dark side of social media and surveillance, earning its PG-13 rating for mature thematic material, a brief sexual situation, and some language. The story follows Mae Holland, a young woman who joins a powerful tech company and agrees to broadcast her life 24/7, leading to a shocking invasion of her parents' privacy and the death of a friend who is hunted down by a digital mob. The film's primary concerns for… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is The Circle appropriate for kids?
The Circle explores the dark side of social media and surveillance, earning its PG-13 rating for mature thematic material, a brief sexual situation, and some language. The story follows Mae Holland, a young woman who joins a powerful tech company and agrees to broadcast her life… Read more — free account
Content severity in The Circle
What happens in The Circle, moment by moment
- 0:08 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
- 0:21 🍷 Substances 2/10
- 0:28 🔥 Mature Themes 3/10
Sex and nudity in The Circle
The film contains one brief, non-explicit sexual situation. During a live stream, protagonist Mae accidentally broadcasts a few seconds of her parents being intimate; they are clothed and the scene focuses on the shock of the privacy invasion rather than the act itself. The scene is not graphic but the context is mature.
Violence and gore in The Circle
Violence is infrequent and not graphic, but one scene is emotionally impactful. A key character is pursued by a crowd mobilized by social media and a drone, causing him to become distressed and drive his truck off a bridge, resulting in his death. The crash itself is shown without graphic detail, but the sequence is intense and disturbing.
Language in The Circle
Language is moderate. There is one use of the 'f-word' during a moment of confrontation. Other profanity includes infrequent use of 'shit,' 'asshole,' and religious exclamations ('God,' 'oh my God,' 'Jesus Christ').
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Circle
Substance use is mild. Characters are shown drinking beer and other alcoholic beverages in social settings, such as at large company parties. In one conversation, a character mentions having almost died from a drug overdose in the past, but no on-screen drug use occurs.
Mature themes in The Circle
The film is built on strong, mature themes that are central to the plot. It serves as a cautionary tale about corporate surveillance, the loss of personal privacy through social media, and the ethics of technology. It explores how online mob mentality and vigilantism can have tragic real-world consequences, including a character's death. A parent's serious illness (multiple sclerosis) is also a recurring plot point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Circle appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Circle is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. The Circle explores the dark side of social media and surveillance, earning its PG-13 rating for mature thematic material, a brief sexual situation, and some language. The story follows Mae Holland, a young woman who…
What age rating does The Circle have?
The Circle is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is The Circle about?
The Circle explores the dark side of social media and surveillance, earning its PG-13 rating for mature thematic material, a brief sexual situation, and some language. The story follows Mae Holland, a young woman who joins a powerful tech company and agrees to broadcast her life 24/7, leading to a shocking invasion of…
Is there sex or nudity in The Circle?
The film contains one brief, non-explicit sexual situation. During a live stream, protagonist Mae accidentally broadcasts a few seconds of her parents being intimate; they are clothed and the scene focuses on the shock of the privacy invasion rather than the…
How violent is The Circle?
Violence is infrequent and not graphic, but one scene is emotionally impactful. A key character is pursued by a crowd mobilized by social media and a drone, causing him to become distressed and drive his truck off a bridge, resulting in his death. The crash…
Is the language in The Circle appropriate for kids?
Language is moderate. There is one use of the 'f-word' during a moment of confrontation. Other profanity includes infrequent use of 'shit,' 'asshole,' and religious exclamations ('God,' 'oh my God,' 'Jesus Christ').
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Circle?
Substance use is mild. Characters are shown drinking beer and other alcoholic beverages in social settings, such as at large company parties. In one conversation, a character mentions having almost died from a drug overdose in the past, but no on-screen drug…
What mature themes appear in The Circle?
The film is built on strong, mature themes that are central to the plot. It serves as a cautionary tale about corporate surveillance, the loss of personal privacy through social media, and the ethics of technology. It explores how online mob mentality and…
How long is The Circle?
The Circle runs 110 minutes, directed by James Ponsoldt, released in 2017.
Where can I read the full The Circle parent guide?
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