The Social Reckoning

It’s been less than two decades between its predecessor and The Social Reckoning, but that feels like an eternity in tech years.

That works against this biting follow-up from director Aaron Sorkin (taking over for David Fincher, who helmed The Social Network), working with material that was ripe for an update yet also feels stuck in the recent past.

Overflowing with righteous indignation regarding its true-life subject matter, it’s a morality tale about corporate responsibility and the boundaries of free speech. As an expose, the statistics and assertions detailing the toxicity of the social-media cesspool are horrifying but hardly surprising in an era of online desensitization.

The film never acknowledges that it’s a sequel because it’s unnecessary. And while the original primarily followed entrepreneur Mark Zuckerberg during the formative years of his Facebook empire, he’s more of a periphery player here, whose monstrous presence nevertheless constantly looms in the background.

In 2019, Frances (Mikey Madison) is a young Facebook data engineer concerned about the potential spread of misinformation and hate speech on the platform, especially as it relates to the rise and recruitment of extremist groups.

Frustrated with the indifferent internal response, she reluctantly contacts Jeff (Jeremy Allen White), a Wall Street Journal investigative reporter, to share her claims and raise awareness anonymously. “You and I are not allies,” Frances cautions. “I’m here to help Facebook, not hurt it.”

Still, Jeff explains that he needs concrete sources or evidence, which would come at great personal risk to Frances as a potential whistleblower.

Meanwhile, Zuckerberg (Jeremy Strong) remains unfazed, asserting his position as a “free speech absolutist” who takes no blame for what’s posted or shared on the site, or any resulting public harm.

Madison (Anora) and White (“The Bear”) share much of the screen time, although Strong (“Succession”) steals the spotlight with his steely-eyed portrayal of Zuckerberg as a sanctimonious control freak who vigorously prioritizes profits over principle.

Despite the engaging cast and sharp dialogue, the suspense is tepid in Sorkin’s nonlinear screenplay considering its topicality. And the heavy-handed climax seems more like piling on than reinforcing the film’s (albeit worthwhile) message.

Plus, dissecting algorithms, engagement metrics, and optimizing “meaningful social interactions” by nature is not very compelling for most of us.

Sorkin fashions a slick and stylish package that’s well-researched and mildly illuminating, even if The Social Reckoning lacks the freshness to match its blood-boiling intentions.

Rated R, 112 minutes.