Directed by James Ponsoldt and adapted from the novel by Dave Eggers, The Circle brings together Emma Watson, Tom Hanks, and John Boyega in a dystopian thriller centered on the excesses of digital transparency. Released in theaters in France on July 12, 2017, the film will be available to stream on HBO Max starting December 30, 2025.
In the near future, Mae Holland joins The Circle, an all-powerful technology company specializing in social media and data collection. This professional opportunity quickly turns into total immersion in a culture of transparency presented as an absolute ideal. Encouraged by Eamon Bailey, the charismatic founder of the group, she participates in an experiment aimed at pushing the boundaries of privacy, with a system of voluntary continuous exposure.
Gradually, Mae realizes that the choices she makes within this innovation are disrupting her surroundings and raising major ethical issues. Between individual freedom, social control, and technological fascination, the film explores the fragile boundary between digital progress and the loss of free will in an environment where everything can be made visible.
The Circle was born from an initiative by James Ponsoldt, who wrote an initial screenplay without any certainty of production before approaching Dave Eggers. Tom Hanks, who had already worked with the author on A Hologram for the King, discovered the project and presented it to Gary Goetzman, with whom he runs Playtone. The film questions the boundaries between total transparency and privacy, a central theme in both the novel and the adaptation. Early in development, Alicia Vikander was considered for the role of Mae before turning to Jason Bourne. The film sparked debate upon its release due to its treatment of a technological society seeking complete control over individual behavior, a theme that resonates strongly with contemporary discussions around data protection.
Aimed at viewers interested in tech thrillers, dystopian fiction, and stories that question the hold of digital technology, the film offers a critical look at constant communication, self-exposure, and the excesses of widespread surveillance. The atmosphere blends private issues, collective pressures, and psychological tension, with an accessible approach that highlights the dilemmas of a character faced with choices that have multiple consequences.
The Circle
Film | 2017
On HBO Max December 30, 2025
Drama/Science Fiction/Thriller | Running time: 1 hour 50 minutes
By James Ponsoldt | Starring Emma Watson, Tom Hanks, John Boyega
Nationality: United States
The Circle returns to streaming with a reflection on the place of technology in everyday life, carried by a trio of iconic actors and an adaptation that seeks to put the issues surrounding digital transparency into perspective.
To learn more, check out HBO Max's new releases for December, our guide to streaming releases across all platforms, and our selection of What to Watch Today on Streaming.
Dates and Opening Time
From December 30, 2025 to January 27, 2026
