Panahi squeezes power into every scene.
BBC FILM

The world it shows is both mysterious and full of menace—yet as real as the world outside the theater.
CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Restrained yet powerful, devastating in its emotional effects.
THE LA TIMES

A memorable and devastating indictment of the oppression facing many women in Iran.
WASHINGTON POST

Devastatingly effective.
THE LA DAILY NEWS

In its brisk way, it’s a devastating piece of work, and very brave too.
THE WASHINGTON POST

Alarmingly deft at exposing political and religious extremism for what it is.
JAM MOVIES

Profoundly dangerous to the status quo in Iran because it asks us to identify with the plight of women who have done nothing wrong except to be female.
CHICAGO SUN TIMES

An extraordinary film from a born filmmaker.
NEW TIMES

A raw, riveting film that pulls you up short.
ROLLING STONE

A touching, intimate portrayal of how women cope in this closed society.
FILM JOUNRAL INTERNATIONAL

Remarkable
THE BOSTON GLOBE

Circles the heart of noisy, modern Tehran with an informal, documentary-like freedom that is thrilling in its naturalism.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

One of the deepest impressions The Circle leaves is of the terrifying but also in its way thrilling complexity of experience.
THE NEW YORK TIMES

One of the most courageous, hard-hitting films I’ve seen in a long time.
FILM.COM

A dark, sustained, and wrenching film
VILLAGE VOICE