Social Reckoning: Aaron Sorkin Finally Settles 'Social Network' Sequel Debate
Aaron Sorkin's new film, "The Social Reckoning," serves as a companion to "The Social Network," exploring Facebook's evolution into an algorithm-driven platform fueling contention and misinformation. The movie follows a whistleblower and a journalist investigating the tech giant, while Sorkin discusses his views on government regulation and the film's production. It opens in theaters on October 9.
Academy Award-winning writer-director Aaron Sorkin returns with "The Social Reckoning," a companion feature to his critically acclaimed film "The Social Network." Over a decade after the original, this new film delves into the evolving landscape of Facebook, exploring the profound changes the platform has undergone since its early days.
The narrative of "The Social Reckoning" centers on whistleblower Frances Haugen, portrayed by Mikey Madison, a Facebook engineer who collaborates with a nascent Wall Street journalist, Jeff Horwitz, played by Jeremy Allen White. Together, they embark on an investigation into the tech giant's controversial practices and intentions. The film meticulously tracks Facebook's transformation from a simple "find-your-friends" social media platform to a complex, algorithm-driven newsfeed that actively fuels contention and shapes disparate "realities" for its users, all while raising significant concerns about the consequences of this evolution.
The star-studded cast also includes Oscar nominee Jeremy Strong as billionaire CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Academy Award nominee Wunmi Mosaku as Raya Akinola, alongside Betty Gilpin, Billy Magnussen, and Bill Burr. In an interview with Collider's Steve Weintraub, Sorkin clarified that "The Social Reckoning" is not a direct sequel to "The Social Network" but rather another film about Facebook, written by the same individual, with a character from the first film making an appearance, akin to a character from "Goodfellas" showing up in "Casino."
Sorkin highlights the key shift that occurred: the addition of the newsfeed, powered by an algorithm. This change resulted in users receiving highly personalized news feeds, creating individual "different realities," none of which, he notes, are being fact-checked. This algorithmic tailoring is central to the film's exploration of misinformation and its societal impact.
Addressing the contentious issue of government regulation for big tech, Sorkin expressed skepticism, stating that legislative action is unlikely due to the financial influence of a few tech oligarchs on the campaigns of lawmakers. He lamented the frustration and anger this situation evokes.
Regarding potential legal interference during the film's production, Sorkin revealed that, contrary to expectations for a nonfiction movie, there was minimal disruption. While there were some notes from lawyers, primarily concerning minor details like changing names or numbers, nothing significantly altered his creative vision. He expressed satisfaction that the legal team supported their endeavor to make the film they intended.
Sorkin also touched upon the editing process, commending editor Alan Baumgarten and his post-production team for their excellent work. He noted that very little material ended up on the cutting room floor. The climactic scene, in particular, was extensively shaped during editing, with Baumgarten providing early assurances that it was coming together effectively. "The Social Reckoning" is scheduled to open in theaters on October 9.