By this point, we are acutely aware of the dangers of social media, and anyone who follows the news knows that those behind the platforms actively find ways to exploit these dangers to drive clicks, likes, engagements and shares for greater profits.
Truly diabolical.
We know, in large part, due to those who risk their lives to inform us, like Frances Haugen.
After discovering a friend has been radicalised, socially awkward Facebook data engineer Frances Haugen (Mikey Madison) is prompted to dig into her company’s methods and actions.
The idealistic employee, who still believes Facebook can unite people like her, discovers a deliberate algorithm tweak that amplifies ragebait to increase engagement.
This may look great for shareholders, but between Facebook and Instagram, the result over the years has created a societal shift for the worse. The sites are now rife with lies, bullying and even human trafficking.
A Whistleblower Takes On Facebook
Appalled that her company is putting profits over the wellbeing of its users, Haugen breaks her NDA and reaches out to Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz (Jeremy Allen White), who has only recently been put on the tech round.
He can’t even get his car’s GPS to work.
The whistleblower and the reporter who doesn’t know what her tech jargon means work together to expose Facebook and course correct.
While The Social Network — written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by David Fincher — chronicled the creation of Facebook, The Social Reckoning picks up years later to explore the hell it has created and perpetuates.
And it is bleak.
Sorkin Steps Behind The Camera
One can’t help but think that, had Fincher stayed on as director, he would have leaned into the grimness. His track record is a clear indicator.
But with Sorkin taking directing duties this time around, there is a tendency to favour the quippy dialogue over filmmaking precision.
There are the signature scripted Sorkin exchanges and witty, overlapping dialogue. They are undoubtedly entertaining, but it gets a little too cutesy for its own good at times.
As a result, some of the tension and weight of the situation Facebook has created is undercut.
Jeremy Strong Steps In As Zuckerberg
Billionaire Mark Zuckerberg (Jeremy Strong) takes a backseat in this sort-of sequel, popping up on occasion to defend his sit-back-and-do-nothing-while-getting-richer approach to running a business.
Strong is commanding despite having much less screentime than Jesse Eisenberg had in the same role 16 years ago. However, he is afforded less time to create a fully rounded character.
Strong’s take on Zuckerberg is more of an impersonation of his mannerisms and speech inflections. The physical resemblance is certainly far more accurate than Eisenberg’s.
The Social Reckoning Review – Final Thoughts
Sorkin’s film is a competently made one about a compelling topic in the spirit of All the President’s Men, The Insider and Spotlight.
It not only confronts Facebook’s mis-dealings, but also celebrates and provides a positive platform for the socially awkward.
7.5/10
Review by Julian Wright
