Sixteen years after The Social Network, Aaron Sorkin returns to the world of Facebook with The Social Reckoning, this time stepping behind the camera as well as writing the script. It shares DNA with David Fincher’s 2010 film, but this is not really a traditional sequel. Instead, Sorkin shifts the focus away from Mark Zuckerberg and towards whistleblower Frances Haugen and Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz as they investigate what Facebook knew about the damage being caused by its algorithms.

Mikey Madison plays Haugen, a Facebook employee who becomes increasingly troubled by the company’s role in amplifying political extremism and harmful content. Jeremy Allen White stars opposite her as Horwitz, the journalist she eventually trusts with internal documents, and the pair carry most of the film. Their scenes together are some of its strongest, with Madison bringing plenty of intensity to Haugen and White giving a quieter, more understated performance as the reporter trying to uncover the story.

Jeremy Strong takes over the role of Zuckerberg from Jesse Eisenberg, but anyone expecting him to dominate the film may be surprised. Zuckerberg is much more of a background presence here, appearing as the powerful figure looming over everything rather than the main character. Strong plays him with an almost unnerving calm, and although the performance works, limiting his screen time means the film never digs into him in the same way The Social Network did.

A Very Aaron Sorkin Political Thriller

Sorkin’s fingerprints are all over The Social Reckoning, especially in the fast dialogue, lengthy conversations and characters who always seem to have the perfect response ready. At times that is a strength, especially when Madison and White are bouncing off one another or Bill Burr gets the chance to deliver some of the script’s funnier lines. At other points, everyone begins to sound a little too similar, and some of the dialogue feels more written than spoken.

The film also has a lot to say about social media, political extremism, misinformation and the way engagement can be prioritised over the damage being caused. The January 6 Capitol riots become an important part of the story, as does Facebook’s handling of political content, giving the film some genuinely unsettling moments. The problem is that much of this is already familiar territory, and with the story largely focused on events between 2019 and 2021, there are moments where it feels like the world has moved on faster than the film has.

Strong Performances Carry The Social Reckoning

Where The Social Reckoning works best is with its cast. Madison gives Haugen a mixture of determination, frustration and vulnerability, and she makes the decision to become a whistleblower feel like something that weighs heavily on her rather than a straightforward act of heroism. White is equally good, keeping Horwitz grounded and allowing their partnership to become the emotional centre of the film.

Strong is compelling whenever Zuckerberg does appear, and Burr is another standout in the supporting cast. There is enough humour running through the heavier material to stop the film becoming too dry, although some of the more dramatic moments do tip into sentimentality.

Comparisons with The Social Network are unavoidable, and The Social Reckoning never reaches the same level visually or dramatically. Fincher’s film had an energy and atmosphere that made conversations in offices and legal rooms feel exciting, whereas Sorkin’s direction is much more straightforward. That does not make this a bad film, but it does mean the writing and performances are doing most of the heavy lifting.

For CultureCues, The Social Reckoning is an interesting and well-acted follow-up to the world of The Social Network, even if it never quite matches what came before. Mikey Madison and Jeremy Allen White are excellent together, Jeremy Strong is fascinating in the limited time he gets as Zuckerberg, and there is plenty here to keep the story moving. Some of the dialogue is very obviously Sorkin and parts of the film already feel a little behind where the conversation around social media and tech has moved, but it is still a smart, engaging watch with a strong cast at its centre.

CultureCues Rating: ★★★½☆ (3.5/5)

The Social Reckoning is released in UK cinemas on 9 October.

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