Shadows on the Wall | The Social Reckoning

The Social Reckoning

dir-scr Aaron Sorkin
prd Todd Black, Peter Rice, Aaron Sorkin, Tony A Grier, Stuart M Besser
with Mikey Madison, Jeremy Allen White, Jeremy Strong, Wunmi Mosaku, Betty Gilpin, Billy Magnussen, Bill Burr, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Anna Lambe, Kelley Pereira, Patrick Fischler, Portia Doubleday
release US/UK 9.Oct.26
26/US Columbia 1h52

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It's unsurprising that this sequel to 2010's The Social Network has such a bracingly intelligent script, once again written by Aaron Sorkin, who now also directs. What's surprising is how much emotional connection is woven in this time, as the story centres around the complex relationship between a whistleblower and a journalist. As a result this heart-pounding look at the perils of social media is also hugely involving.

Working on Facebook's integrity team in 2019, Frances Haugen (Madison) believes in the platform's potential to create community. But she's horrified that the algorithm is steadily encouraging people to take up radical extremism. Remaining anonymous, she contacts Wall Street Journal tech writer Josh Horwitz (White). His investigations reveal how Facebook's refusal to fact-check political ads directly led to the violent events of January 6, 2021. After Facebook dissolves its integrity team and sacks Frances, she goes on the record to testify before Congress. Meanwhile, Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg (Strong) has been training for the hearings.

As Josh works with editor Kris (Gilpin) to find the deep story, and then the deeper one, the film crosscuts to Zuckerberg's prep work with a team led by Raya (Mosako). These rather sinister sequences aren't strictly necessary, but they provide insight into how Zuckerberg turns a blind eye to damage Facebook causes, maintaining profits while pouring fuel on the fire. Strong's performance is seriously chilling, radiating intelligence underscored by callous determination.

By contrast, Madison's hugely conflicted Frances is the film's heart, hoping her leaks will make Facebook a more idealised force for good. Her fascinating journey is played by Madison with a superb mix of razor-sharp intellect and resonant emotion. White is also excellent as the quietly tenacious journalist who carefully protects her until she's ready to go public. Mosaku, Gilpin and Magnussen are standouts in smaller pivotal roles, as is Burr as a wild card on Raya's crew.

As always, Sorkin's dense, funny and bracingly smart dialog unpicks fiendishly complicated issues in ways that continually take us aback. And the screenplay is cleverly structured to pull us into the personal drama while unnerving us with the bigger picture. By the time the congressional hearing arrives, we understand what's at stake here: the proper functioning of a major democracy. As depicted here, Facebook's officials blithely ignore the ways their platform is radicalising its users, using hatred and outrage to increase engagement for profit. In other words, the world is in real trouble.

themes, language, violence 5.Oct.26

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