by Henry Pham
Aaron Sorkin directs and co-produces the film and returns to write the screenplay. He was the writer for The Social Network, released in 2010 and directed by Oscar nominee David Fincher, in which he received an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. True events inspire The Social Reckoning, serving as a standalone sequel to The Social Network. The film focuses on a young Facebook data engineer and whistleblower, Frances Haugen, who enlists the help of a Wall Street Journal reporter, Jeff Horwitz, to go on a dangerous journey that ends up blowing the whistle on the social network’s most guarded secrets.
Oscar winner Mikey Madison (Anora) stars as Facebook data engineer Frances Haugen, with Golden Globe winner Jeremy Allen White (Hulu’s The Bear) in a supporting role as Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz. The supporting cast includes Oscar nominee Jeremy Strong (The Apprentice) as Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Burr (Netflix’s F Is for Family) as Charlie, Oscar nominee Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners) as Raya, Betty Gilpin (Netflix’s GLOW), and Billy Magnussen (Game Night) as Teddy. Madison delivers a nuanced and compelling performance, while Allen White brings both humor and depth. The duo are what drives the film. Strong, who replaced Jesse Eisenberg, is particularly effective in his pivotal role.
The film blends journalism drama and legal thriller, set between 2019 and 2021. It addresses themes such as bullying, personal rights, and free speech in America. The editing is dynamic and complex, while Alexandre Desplat’s soundtrack is impressive, drawing inspiration from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. The screenplay is strong, though the pacing occasionally slows the narrative, and frequent shifts in the timeline can be distracting.
Although Madison, Allen White, and Strong are top-billed, the three do not share scenes together. The film focuses on separate subplots; one for Madison and Allen White and the other for Strong. Their presence together onscreen could further gain some bonus points for the film, though Allen White and Strong have both appeared in Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere. The chemistry between Madison and Allen White is notable and adds depth to their storyline. Despite some flaws, this sequel has cinematic tropes in writing, directing, editing, soundtrack, and acting.
Clocking in at 113 minutes, The Social Reckoning may not surpass the original film, but it’s a decent sequel thanks to the performances from Mikey Madison, Jeremy Allen White, and Jeremy Strong. I like Madison as she is spectacular in Anora, while Allen White (whom I met in Dallas back in 2023 when he is here for the world premiere of The Iron Claw) demonstrates how incredible of an actor he can be. But I think Strong should get some nominations for his performance, including a potential Best Supporting Actor Oscar. Everything else does what it can to balance for those who have seen the first film. It may be polarizing for some critics and audiences but at least it is a fun movie about the power of Facebook, and I think it’s an easier option for social media fans and influencers.
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