Karma is a fairly simple concept in theory. It’s the belief that when you do bad things, bad things will eventually happen to you. However, this basic tenet can evolve into many different mindsets, which the new Steven Soderbergh limited series Full Circle explores. In it, we follow a vast array of characters brought together by the circumstances leading to a botched kidnapping and its aftermath. Each subplot is linked to the overarching plot in a way that is not entirely unveiled until the very end of the show, so watching everything converge narratively and piecing together the big picture from the details we’re given each episode is part of what makes the series such a compelling watch. Seeing how every character is drawn further into the mess that has been created and how each of their actions affects other characters and draws them further into the mess further adds to this show’s enjoyability. With its layered script, its rich cast of characters, and its brilliant ensemble of actors, Full Circle is one show you cannot miss.

The premise of Full Circle may sound initially straightforward. After a gang from Guyana accidentally kidnaps a lookalike of a celebrity chef’s grandson, things go awry. Alas, that is both extremely vague and largely underselling the scope of this show, which thrives on its complex plotting and variety of characters. Since this series features a large cast, it’s an easier watch if you go in having a general idea of who each character is and what their role is. Trust me, there are a plethora of reveals, twists, and turns this series takes, so I’m not spoiling anything. After a tragedy, Mrs. Mahabir (CCH Pounder) orders her Guyanese gang to change her family’s fate by kidnapping a boy named Jared (Ethan Stoddard). Jared is the grandson of wealthy celebrity cook Chef Jeff (Dennis Quaid) and the son of socialites Sam (Claire Danes) and Derek (Timothy Olyphant), both of whom have jobs running Chef Jeff’s culinary empire. Aked (Jharrel Jerome) and Garmen (Phaldut Sharma) are two of Mrs. Mahabir’s lackeys ordered to kidnap Jared, and they take two fresh recruits from Guyana under their wing as they do so. These recruits are best friends Louis (Gerald Jones) and Xavier (Sheyi Cole), who came to America hoping for a better life. When they arrive, though, they are unhappily greeted by Louis’s sister and Aked’s fiancé Natalia (Adia), who has desperately been trying to get back home. Meanwhile, inspector Melody (Zazie Beetz) has been interested in the Guyanese gang for a long time and decides to disobey orders by further investigating them. I haven’t even mentioned every character, but these are our main players. 

As you have probably gathered by now, this is a very large ensemble. Due to how interconnected and important every single character is to the overarching plot, it’s essential that each one is portrayed well. Thankfully, the cast is phenomenal. Tried-and-true masters Claire Danes, Timothy Olyphant, and Dennis Quaid are in top form once again and play off one another quite well. Zazie Beetz, whose character winds up being the glue that ties different storylines together, is also excellent as per usual and brings a delicious dynamic and chemistry with every one of her scene partners. CCH Pounder is menacing as the “mastermind” and has a simultaneously captivating, intense, and terrifying presence. Phaldut Sharma, Jharrel Jerome, Gerald Jones, and Sheyi Cole all do a brilliant job at portraying the shifting loyalties and moral dilemmas their characters are faced with. But to me, the standout had to be Adia. Her character Natalia is perhaps the most empathetic one of all as someone who’s stuck in a life she’s hopelessly trying to escape and just trying to do the right thing, and Adia imbues her with so much pathos without ever making her seem like a caricature. It’s a spectacular performance that I didn’t at all expect from a relative newcomer (her only other role on IMDb is that of The Midnight Club’s Cheri). But despite the varying levels of fame each actor in this show possesses, as an ensemble they all do marvelous work in this show.

This limited series’s writing complements its actors well, as it manages to be tight, tense, and emotionally effective for the most part. There is a lot of plot in Full Circle, and it pays to pay attention, but by the end I felt like I had a good grasp of the narrative that was attempting to be told. The consequences of actions these characters commit out of greed, vengeance, desperation, weakness, and principle manage to affect so many people outside of their direct circle, and it’s shocking to see how these conflicting motivations manage to cause further damage to everyone involved. I do wish that everything came, well, full circle by the end in a way that didn’t come across as polished or fairytale-esque as it did, but the journey to get to that ending was harrowing in the best possible way.

Overall, while it’s not without its issues, Full Circle is a gripping miniseries that is wholly worth your time. Though the ending could have been better, I thoroughly enjoyed watching this show throughout. It’s an intense ride that managed to leave me on the edge of my seat without sacrificing its characters, who are portrayed wonderfully by the fantastic ensemble. Watching the narrative of Full Circle unravel is an experience like no other, with each reveal recontextualizing the show you just saw in a whole new light.

8/10