Inside the Circle Review: If political thrillers are your jam, then Inside the Circle, Netflix’s newest Spanish thriller, is a nice little weekend binge that does a great job turning childhood friendships into a landmine unlike any other. The series, unlike others, has a very distinct personal core filled with secrets that will make viewers question their sanity and the people around them.
When a famous actress dies under mysterious circumstances, it starts to affect a group of childhood friends in unprecedented ways. While one would question what an actress and a bunch of normal people have in common, the truth comes right out of the blue and creates a web of lies, deceit and delicious twists and turns.
The cast includes Michel Brown, Zuria Vega, Raúl Briones, Osvaldo Benavides, Jorge Zárate, Natalia Coronado, Mariané Cartas, Diego Sandoval, and Saúl Lisazo. Alejandro Lozano directs the 8-episode series (El círculo) that is based on the novel Los corruptores (The Corruptors) by Jorge Zepeda Patterson.
Inside the Circle Review
A Thriller That Is More About Friendship Than Politics
It’s interesting watching this Netflix thriller that seamlessly blends political intrigue with friendship drama and investigative journalism. While the lies, deceit, and deception are an intriguing part of the series, it’s the changing dynamic within the group and the way the truth about the different characters is exposed that makes this such a taut thriller. The central characters are always put beyond the larger political machinery, which makes it easy for viewers to get attached to the characters and their journey throughout the series.
Tomás, Amelia, Jaime and Mario have been friends since childhood and, for what it’s worth, they are family. However, the series proves how even the closest of families have dangerous secrets. The natural familiarity that the characters share thanks to their shared history makes the series feel lived-in, and thus, when hell rains down on the characters, viewers find themselves invested. The series constantly makes the characters question the people they have trusted for so long and whether they are protecting the right people all the time.
A leaked video of a famous actress is what puts this entire mystery into motion. But as the series gets into motion, it becomes clear that this is more about whom the friends can trust, rather than simply figuring out who killed her. Sometimes Pamela’s murder becomes a secondary aspect and viewers question whether any of these characters are even trustworthy to begin with.
The Mystery Keeps You Watching
Now, coming to the mystery elements – the series is more of a political thriller than a crime thriller, so expect a ton of interesting, underhanded situations that bring national security at risk. The mystery, thus, is always moving, and viewers can’t help but wonder how far the ball will roll. While Pamela might seem like a straightforward person at first, the deeper we go into the mystery, the more we learn about who she was and where her real talents lie. It’s a very interesting showcase of what goes on in politics and how things that seem glossy on the outside can be so dangerous in actuality.
With Pamela’s leaked video, the implications of what’s going on and who it affects are what make headlines. While it’s moving to see the last recorded video of a well-loved celebrity, the place she was last seen is what riles up everyone, including high-ranking officials. The series takes time breaking down why these relationships and the conspiracy matter and that everything isn’t as simple as just a murder in a jealous rage.
Every episode raises the stakes and makes things more and more complex, which definitely works in the show’s favour. The series is able to balance the relationship between the friends, the political unrest brewing in the distance and the threat to their lives quite well. However, with that being said, the series has a ton of different storylines that bog down the runtime in some episodes. While it’s an interesting series overall that showcases the bad side of politics and the law, there are moments when viewers will find themselves restless.
Where the Series Becomes Predictable
While the characters are the best part of Inside the Circle, particularly Amelia’s storyline, the conspiracy mechanics and the sleazy politicians can feel obvious and repetitive after a while. The larger world of corruption is something we have seen time and time again and, at this point, it’s a bit repetitive. I also think the series could’ve slowed down at some points to let the characters and situations breathe instead of rushing forward with showcasing one twist after another. While it works sometimes, it can leave viewers feeling a bit annoyed.
All this being said, the show is not boring at all. Despite some hiccups, the series does a great job of keeping viewers on their toes till the end.
Does the Series Stick the Landing?
Overall, Inside the Circle is an interesting watch that does a great job of turning the conspiracy inward instead of making the outside affect the friend group. After a while, the friends themselves point fingers at one another, with this betrayal hurting more than some political scandal involving corrupt figures. The finale, especially, leaves the viewers stunned thanks to the emotional outcome of the storyline and where the friends are left after the chain of events.
The series also does a great job of highlighting how important it is to expose the secrets in our country and bring the truth out to the common people. It asks some important questions, and the resolution that it offers isn’t perfect, reflecting a reality that most of us have to live with.
Final Verdict
Inside the Circle is an interesting and arresting watch that asks some important questions. While it doesn’t reinvent the political thriller genre, it’s still extremely entertaining thanks to keeping its focus on the friendship rather than on the politics. While the political corruption and murder mystery add to the suspense, it’s the friends’ evolving relationship and the skeletons in their closet that keep viewers engaged. Overall, this one’s quite compelling.
Watch Inside the Circle on Netflix. What did you think about the Spanish thriller? Let us know in the comments below!
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