Meta's 2021 Scandal: New Film Premieres in Theaters
The movie stars Mikey Madison and Jeremy Strong in a dramatization of the internal documents revealed by whistleblower Frances Haugen.
By Elena Perry ·
Aaron Sorkin’s new film, “The Social Reckoning,” opened in theaters on Oct. 9. The production retells the 2021 controversy surrounding internal Facebook documents released by whistleblower Frances Haugen and Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz.
The narrative centers on the discovery that Facebook’s algorithms intentionally directed users toward right-wing extremist content to increase engagement. Mikey Madison portrays Haugen, while Jeremy Allen White plays Horwitz. Jeremy Strong takes on the role of CEO Mark Zuckerberg, depicted as a leader who prioritized free speech absolutism over regulatory concerns.
Sorkin, who wrote the 2010 film “The Social Network,” stated that his new project is not a direct follow-up to his earlier work. He had previously attempted to recruit Jesse Eisenberg to reprise his role as Zuckerberg. Despite these distinctions, the films share nearly identical titles and subject matter, drawing inevitable comparisons between the two projects.
The new film follows a similar structural approach to Sorkin’s 2015 biopic “Steve Jobs,” which used invented interactions to create a portrait of the tech executive. However, “The Social Reckoning” relies on a piecemeal reveal of information that the audience can deduce from the opening scenes. The cast delivers the material with intensity, though Strong’s performance as a stoic billionaire serves as the primary focal point of the narrative.
The film concludes with Haugen testifying before Congress, accompanied by text indicating that Facebook was forced to pay billions in legal settlements. Critics note that the ending presents a triumphant tone, contrasting with the cynical resolution of “The Social Network,” where Zuckerberg settles his legal debts rather than facing trial.
The lawsuit payouts referenced in the film total $25 billion and $17 billion. These figures are compared to the company’s annual revenue of $200 billion, a sum that experts suggest dwarfs the financial impact of the legal battles. The film captures the moment of whistleblowing but does not address the ongoing operational practices of the platform.
Sorkin directed the film, replacing David Fincher, who helmed the 2010 original. Alexandre Desplat composed the score, replacing the synth-driven soundtrack of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. The visual style of the new production is described as evenly lit and straightforward, differing from the sleeker aesthetic of its predecessor.
