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'The Circle': Fans wonder if Netflix's reality show is actually a 'wild simulation' from 'Black Mirror'

Based on a 'Big Brother'/'Love Island' format, the series will ultimately end with the group voting for one winner

Truth, lies, and influencer ties — players can be whoever and do whatever it takes to win in 'The Circle', a new reality-competition series on Netflix. A remake of a UK program of the same name, it revolves around eight contestants trying to outrank one another as new players are introduced. 

Based on a 'Big Brother'/'Love Island' format, the series will ultimately end with the group voting for one winner. But there's a catch: participants live in isolated apartments and interact only through online avatars connected by a voice-activated screen known as "The Circle".

Just like every other competitive reality show, it involves secret-sharing, friendships, dating, break-ups, and emotional outbreaks. And there is a $100,000 cash prize for the most "popular" contestant who wins!

Ever since it premiered on Netflix on January 1, viewers have been drawing a parallel with 'Black Mirror' and 'Real World'. Every week, four new episodes are released and with two weeks already gone, the show has managed to create an air of intrigue and excitement on social media.

"This show reminds me of Big Brother but different. #TheCircle," one tweet read. Another viewer posted, "#TheCircle is quite addictive. Just the right amount of drama and humor." 

One tweet read, "Man, #TheCircleNetflix is wild. This HAS to be a simulation that we're all in. This is an interactive #BlackMirror season," and another said, "I feel like #TheCircle is setting us up for being one long #BlackMirror stunt." 

Many fans have already labeled the show as their "favorite". One viewer said, "#TheCircle is my new favorite show right now. The wife and I have been cracking up so hard tonight. #Netflix please renew for another season."

Another posted, "I've been watching #TheCircle on Netflix and honestly, I love it so much. So much drama, so many laughs." What's more, one fan even expressed interest to be a participant. "The Circle on @netflix is f**king amazing and I wanna be on the next season so bad."

After new episodes rolled out this week and ended with a major cliffhanger, fans can't stop talking about it. About to leave from the show, Miranda was told to choose one person who she could visit and she went with Joey.

The two even agreed to go on a date once they were out of the Circle. But is there connection real? "Joey and Miranda need to date #TheCircle," one tweet read.

Another post said, "You’re telling me I have to wait a whole ass week for the next episodes of The Circle after that cliffhanger?!! And that next week is the finale!! #TheCircle."

 Many Twitter users are also fangirling over contestants. "Watching #TheCircle and Jesus Christ, Seaburn is so damn cute I actually can't," one fan wrote.

A few posted about who they think their favorite contestant is. One viewer said, "I am rooting for Rebecca/Seaburn or Shooby. #TheCircle," and another posted, "Adam has to be the creepiest creep to ever creep."

'The Circle' premiered on Wednesday, January 1, and new episodes drop every Wednesday.