Written and directed by David Fowler
Starring Taylor Dianne Robinson, Matthew MacCaull, Matt Bellefleur and Andrea Brooks 
Running time: 1 hour and 31 minutes

by Ashley Jane Davis

“Shh! Don’t wake the kiddos!”

Cults keep poppin’ up on my radar. I just wrote an article about a culty noir film for the next print issue of Moviejawn. Our Cult Prince, Tommy C. is back! My lovely wife has given me such a detailed rundown of the show, The Vow, it’s almost like I’ve seen it! Perhaps it’s the cool fall air and the crisp sound of leaves in the breeze that urges me to give pause and reflect, “I wonder if anyone in my neighborhood is in a cult?”

In Welcome to the Circle, we meet up with annoying father-daughter duo, Greg and Sam, enjoying a cutesy camping trip in the forest. Unfortunately for them, a bear attack swiftly cuts short their familial fun and Greg awakens sometime later, bandaged up in a cabin beside two smiley women, Lotus Cloud and Sky. They explain what happened and inform him that his daughter is safe and sound in “bubble class. You know, *imitates blowing a bubble* bubble class.” 

Greg has found himself in a different kind of bubble – a cult bubble. This group is known as The Circle, and is run by a douchey guy named Matthew, who is surrounded by minions eager to hear everything that comes out of his mouth. Matthew goes on to explain that every human has their own path to salvation, and the “greatest entity ever known” actually lives in the centre of their circle and is who they worship – Percy Stephens. It’s clear that Greg is uncomfortable, but Sam, like, loves it here. She has already undergone an indoctrination deep dive and has made a creepy mask she won’t take off based on Percy’s likeness. She has made so many mannequin friends! Truly. Is Greg at all troubled by this? Well, he leaves her with these unnerving strangers to take a nap, so I guess not.

Feeling refreshed from his rest, Greg takes a stroll around and witnesses a cannibalistic ritual where the Circle Friends are taking turns eating forkfuls of some dude. Greg reacts in the way any good father would, by rushing to save his phone, not finding it, and getting in such a tizzy he collapses in sleep. This dad does not lose sleep over his daughter. When he wakes up againnn, he finally thinks to search for Sam and finds her, enjoying warm fellowship with her mannequin friends. Blessed be. I was fully expecting this to be a movie about them trying to escape, but then the movie pulls a Psycho. This far in, the main character is no longer the main character. Now we meet and focus on Scooby Doo and his Gang of Cult-Busters set to embark on their mission!

I don’t even want to get into any more of the plot. It doesn’t matter, really. Just trust me. 

There is a lot of obvious symbolism, and I do like some of the ideas. However, there are many riddles and sayings that get repeated and repeated and blown up throughout, especially in the second half, which spiralled into nonsense. I’m actually not sure if this movie takes itself seriously. I can’t tell. Everyone plays it serious, but some of the dialogue and visuals are way too funny to be an accident and I found myself laughing out loud at many scenes. 

One thing I definitely appreciated about Welcome to The Circle, is that it is not full of shitty looking effects. There are some visually interesting scenes, but it’s not computer wizardry (or lack thereof), it’s just honest to goodness physical stuff that you’re looking at. I really enjoyed the use of props. I know I keep mentioning mannequins. It’s not by accident, because they’re the best part. The sound was also notable, in that kinda deep, pulsing earworm drone drilling its way relentlessly into your brain sorta way (better grab a couple aspirin).

To be honest, if this movie interests you at all, I think it’s best to just watch it. Get a group of friends together (virtually is fun), grab a drink and jump in with no expectations. If you don’t take it seriously, it’s entertaining. If I was spending time trying to piece together the story or reflect on characters’ motivations, I’d be confused and disappointed.

To make a long story short (too late): Are you interested in watching a movie in which mannequins are dressed and treated as actual characters? If you answered yes (you know who you are), give it a whirl. If you answered no, then this Circle doesn’t provide.

Available now on DVD/BluRay and OnDemand.