The Social Reckoning Shows the ‘Other Side’ of Mark Zuckerberg, Releases This Week

Aaron Sorkin’s The Social Reckoning hits international screens this week with a critical look at Facebook’s legacy. The film follows whistleblower Frances Haugen and reporter Jeff Horwitz as they expose internal concerns over hate speech, political polarization and the platform’s impact on democracy.

Almost 16 years after The Social Network portrayed Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg as a young and ambitious tech entrepreneur, Sorkin returns to the subject with a darker story.

The Social Reckoning focuses on the 2021 Facebook Files, which followed Haugen’s decision to share internal company documents with the media. Mikey Madison plays Haugen, while Jeremy Allen White portrays Horwitz, the Wall Street Journal reporter who worked on the investigation.

Zuckerberg is played by Succession star Jeremy Strong.

A Different Look at Zuckerberg

Sorkin wrote the screenplay for both films. He also said his approach to Zuckerberg has changed.

In The Social Network, Sorkin explored Zuckerberg’s motivations and his experience as a Harvard student who felt excluded from the social hierarchy. The new film gives less attention to his personal motivations.

Instead, the story centers on Facebook’s decision not to fact-check political advertisements ahead of the 2020 US election. The film connects that policy debate with the political turmoil that followed the election.

Strong said he contacted Zuckerberg by email before taking on the role. He told GQ that he approached the character seriously and with respect. He has not disclosed whether Zuckerberg responded.

Tech Billionaires Become Film Subjects

The Social Reckoning is part of a growing group of films and documentaries examining Silicon Valley’s wealth and influence.

Elon Musk has inspired fictional portrayals and is the subject of a documentary by filmmaker Alex Gibney. Jesse Armstrong’s Mountainhead also imagined a group of tech billionaires facing a crisis together.

A planned film about OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, titled Artificial, was dropped by Amazon MGM Studios before Neon acquired it for release next year.

Sorkin said Sony Pictures arranged an external legal review of The Social Reckoning. He also said lawyers made some notes and that those changes did not affect the film.

The movie begins its international theatrical release on Wednesday.