Emma Watson on What Brought Her to “The Circle”

The Circle premiered back in April, but it’s still fresh in people’s minds!

Recently, Emma Watson talked about what it was like on set and what intrigued her about the film.

It really stuck with me, the story and the questions that it raised. I found myself weeks later still kind of pondering on different aspects of it, and I think that’s a good sign for a story, or for something I might potentially work on. It does not leave you quickly.

With a film so thought-provoking, it’s easy to see why she signed on!

When asked why she thought her character would join The Circle, she stated that Mae perhaps felt at a dead end and saw an open opportunity.

I think Mae finds herself having some hard big dreams and big ambitions, and she is like, ‘I am 26, living with my parents; I, they, do not have enough money to pay for health insurance. I am working in a job that does not challenge me.’ That means, ‘Is this my life! Is this everything there is to my life?’ When Annie, her friend, offers her the chance to have a job interview at The Circle, this is her ticket, this is her escape, this is her chance to be able to take care of her family. And I think she has a sense of powerlessness in her life. Somehow The Circle gives her a sense of autonomy and control and also hope for her future. So it’s a very powerful promise that The Circle gives her.

Emma also went on to state that the film’s theme may have ties to modern-day reality.

Well, I think it’s about today’s society. This is not [about] a dystopian future that’s a long way off. This is a story that could be happening now. So I think it’s incredibly topical, and it speaks to this moment now.

Emma also has immense respect for her costars Karen Gillan, Tom Hanks, and John Boyega, calling them “incredibly charismatic” and a joy to work with.

Have you seen The Circle yet? What did you think of it?