Circe (2025)” – A Spellbinding Rebirth of Greek Myth through a Witch’s Eyes
In Circe (2025), HBO and director Chloé Zhao conjure a breathtaking reimagining of Greek mythology told from the perspective of one of its most misunderstood figures — the sorceress Circe. Based on the acclaimed novel by Madeline Miller, this epic fantasy-drama blends mythic grandeur with emotional intimacy, presenting a woman’s journey from exile to empowerment in a world ruled by gods and heroes.
Rose Leslie stars as Circe, daughter of the sun god Helios and a sea nymph, born into the golden halls of the Olympians but scorned for her voice, her power, and her refusal to obey. When she discovers her gift for witchcraft — not divine magic, but one rooted in nature, transformation, and will — she is banished to the desolate island of Aiaia. Alone but not broken, Circe begins to master her craft, commune with the wild, and write her own legend.
Unlike typical tales of gods and monsters, Circe unfolds as a deeply personal character study. We follow her encounters with iconic mythological figures — the cunning Odysseus (played by Richard Madden), the vengeful Scylla, and the tragic Daedalus — not as grand heroes, but through Circe’s sharp, evolving perspective. Every myth becomes more human, more intimate, under her gaze.
The film is a visual triumph. Zhao’s signature sweeping cinematography turns the island into a living character — its flora and fauna responding to Circe’s moods and magic. The color palette shifts from muted earth tones to glowing golds and oceanic blues as Circe grows from an outcast into a goddess of her own making.
The screenplay explores timeless themes: the fear of powerful women, the cost of immortality, and the strength found in solitude. Rose Leslie gives a career-defining performance, capturing Circe’s transformation from a naive girl to a wise, fiercely independent sorceress who dares to defy gods and fate alike.
With a haunting score by Hildur Guðnadóttir and poetic dialogue lifted straight from Miller’s novel, Circe (2025) is more than a fantasy epic — it’s a feminist triumph and a myth reclaimed.
Because this time, the story of the witch is told by the witch herself. 🌀
