is a fictionalized account of the founding of Facebook. The movie is based on the 2009 book The Accidental Billionaires by . The Social Network focuses on () specifically, and chronicles . The movie also highlights the legal troubles that were a crucial part of Facebook's massive growth.
. Some characters, like (), are sympathetic because they put so much effort into building Facebook up only to have their efforts minimized or destroyed. Other characters, like Erica Albright (), spotlight the fact that Zuckerberg was never anything more or less than an ordinary man.

As Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg creates the social networking site that would become known as Facebook, he is sued by the twins who claimed he stole their idea and by the co-founder who was later squeezed out of the business.
- David Fincher
- Ben Mezrich, Aaron Sorkin
- Ceán Chaffin, Dana Brunetti, Kevin Spacey, Scott Rudin
- Drama
- Mark Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin, Cameron Winklevoss / Tyler Winklevoss, Sean Parker, Divya Narendra, Tyler Winklevoss, Christy Lee, Marylin Delpy, Sy, Gage, Gretchen, Larry Summers, Erica Albright, Billy Olsen, Phoenix Club President, Dustin Moskovitz, Chris Hughes, Phoenix Member Playing Facemash, Student Playing Facemash, Erica's Roommate, B.U. Guy in Bra, Mr. Cox
- $40 Million
- Columbia Pictures, Relativity Media, Scott Rudin Productions, Michael De Luca Productions, Trigger Street Productions
- Sony Pictures Releasing

As one of the two Winklevoss twins, () makes it his mission to tell the world that . After he and his brother recruit Mark to make their vision of a social media site a reality, they fight for what they think is their own original idea. Tyler is slightly more aggressive than his brother and shows that he is less inclined to listen to reason. However, he plays a as a man who feels wronged.
However, Tyler's single-mindedness in targeting Mark over this sets him apart from his brother.
. However, Tyler's single-mindedness in targeting Mark over this sets him apart from his brother. Tyler's obsession with this perceived wrongdoing is as off-putting as it is fun to watch. Tyler Winklevoss is uniquely sympathetic because it's clear that he sees himself and his brother as the true visionaries behind what Facebook eventually became.

As the second of the Winklevoss twins, (Armie Hammer) also considers himself the true founder of Facebook. He and his brother feel that Mark stole their idea for a social media site that had the potential to gain worldwide notoriety. Along with his brother and their business partner (), .
Cameron's sense of entitlement, which his brother shares, makes him an easy character to root against.
. He is slightly more sympathetic than his brother, since he seems to be more willing to let things play out and consider all available options. However, he is still committed to fighting for what he thinks belongs to him. Cameron's sense of entitlement, which his brother shares, makes him an easy character to root against. Watching Cameron and his brother, who come from old money, clash with Zuckerberg is a key narrative that makes .

As one of the founders of Facebook, () was a part of Facebook's journey from its early days. In who is crucial to Facebook's development. While he never takes center stage as a character, it's clear that he provided the necessary support to get Facebook off the ground. Beyond being smart with a computer, he consistently proves himself to be a supportive friend.
Moskovitz is shown to be hardworking and committed to the vision, which makes him easy to respect.
. Moskovitz is shown to be hardworking and committed to the vision, which makes him easy to respect. The fact that he seems to take pains to avoid conflict makes him a necessary force for calm as Facebook becomes an increasingly chaotic entity. Moskovitz's character is a necessary antidote to the drama other characters cause.

As another early business partner of the Winklevoss twins, Divya Narendra is shown to be a loyal friend to them as they advocate for what they claim was their business idea. Narendra is shown to be an ambitious entrepreneur who immediately recognizes Facebook's potential and wants to be a part of it from the start. .
While he lacks the charisma of the Winklevoss twins, Narendra is clearly able to match them in terms of sheer force of will to go against Mark Zuckerberg.
because he is shown to be just as calculating and ambitious as his fellow entrepreneurs. While he lacks the charisma of the Winklevoss twins, Narendra is clearly able to match them in terms of sheer force of will to go against Mark Zuckerberg. He is another example of a character who is more than a computer wiz. He, too, wants to cement his legacy as someone who was the brains behind what Facebook became.

Christy () is Eduardo's girlfriend, who is introduced as Facebook's star rises. While she and Eduardo initially have a whirlwind romance, Christy eventually becomes unhappy when Eduardo begins neglecting her as Facebook grows. . She expresses hurt that Eduardo would neglect her in this way and chooses her self-respect over salvaging their relationship.
...Christy eventually becomes unhappy when Eduardo begins neglecting her as Facebook grows.
Christy is one of the because she is able to stand up to charismatic men who become incredibly full of themselves. . The fact that she will not be ignored by a man who thinks that his intelligence puts him above others makes her deeply relatable.

(), the founder of music website , provides invaluable guidance to Mark and Eduardo as they get Facebook off the ground. He makes Mark believe in the potential of his idea and urges him to dream even bigger. Sean uses himself as an example of success to inspire Mark. His entitlement is off the charts, and this makes him an easy anti-hero to root against as the story unfolds.
Sean uses himself as an example of success to inspire Mark.
Sean is one of . He offsets Mark's awkwardness and Eduardo's cockiness by bringing a cool factor that Facebook so desperately needed. . It's easy to root for him to fail as he embodies the worst qualities of the American tech industry.

Erica Albright might play a large role in The Social Network, but her moment at the very beginning of the movie sets the tone for the entire story. As Erica breaks up with Mark, she makes sure to let him know that it's because he's a terrible person, not because he is too smart. While she only has this single scene, .
In a few short minutes, Erica cuts Mark down to size and summarizes his flaws, which get harder to see as he becomes more successful.
is one of the most important in the movie. . In a few short minutes, Erica cuts Mark down to size and summarizes his flaws, which get harder to see as he becomes more successful. As Mark continues to develop Facebook, Erica's opening monologue looms large as a reminder that this character was always an ordinary guy.

Marylin Delpy () is a junior lawyer who works with Mark's defense team. While the scenes in The Social Network that focus on Mark's legal issues mainly focus on Sly's () questioning, Marylin focuses on connecting with Mark on a personal level. As she speaks to Mark, , and understand the real story behind the social network.
...Marylin maintains a nonjudgemental attitude without ever excusing any of Mark's actions or attitudes.
What makes Marylin one of the most is the fact that she is a character who represents the audience. Through her perspective, viewers are given a more objective view of who Mark is. This character is also one of the best in the movie because Marylin maintains a nonjudgemental attitude without ever excusing any of Mark's actions or attitudes. She creates space for Mark to speak for himself and to reflect on his views on his own identity.
Eisenberg had no easy task in creating a character based on Mark Zuckerberg, a man who has become an American myth. However, Eisenberg's commitment to showing Mark as a deeply flawed human being is what makes this character work. In lesser hands, Mark could have been a far less likable character in The Social Network. However, Eisenberg brings a nuance to Mark and the actions this character took to make Facebook the cultural phenomenon it became.
The character of Mark Zuckerberg introduced in The Social Network is one who never apologizes for his mistakes. The fact that his intelligence is offset by his social awkwardness is a reminder that this character is no supervillain. Instead, although many of his actions in the movie can't be condoned, it's clear that Mark is a man whose main goal in life is to be accepted by others. This makes him easy to empathize with.

Eduardo is the best character in The Social Network because he is ultimately the most relatable. His story in this movie is a tragic one, as Eduardo goes from being Mark's closest friend to being completely shut out of Facebook as the social network's star rises. While he may be aloof at times, he is Mark's sober second thought, especially when Sean Parker starts filling his head with visions of glory and unrestricted growth.
...Eduardo goes from being Mark's closest friend to being completely shut out of Facebook as the social network's star rises.
As Facebook takes on a life of its own, Eduardo is the grounding influence that the company and Mark both need. The fact that he is rewarded for these efforts by being shut out of company profits is both heartbreaking and infuriating. As the story unfolds, it's clear that although Eduardo is upset at not sharing in Facebook's wealth, he is truly hurt by the fact that he was betrayed by his best friend. This gives him a humanity that many other characters in this movie lack.