In theaters on October 9th is ‘The Social Reckoning’, which sees ‘The Social Network’ screenwriter Aaron Sorkin –– this time also directing –– engaging once more with social media behemoth Facebook in a later stage of its existence.

The cast for Sorkin’s latest includes Mikey Madison (‘Anora’), Jeremy Allen White (‘Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere’), Jeremy Strong (‘The Apprentice’), Wunmi Mosaku (‘Sinners’) and Billy Magnussen (‘Game Night’).

Related Article: Wunmi Mosaku the Latest to Join Aaron Sorkin’s ‘The Social Reckoning’

Initial Thoughts

If you were going to attempt a follow-up to ‘The Social Network,’ 2010’s searing indictment of the difficult birth of social media monster Facebook and its primary founder (depending on whose viewpoint you believe) Mark Zuckerberg, you’d do worse than to recruit writer Aaron Sorkin, who won the Oscar for his adapted screenplay. Of course, getting visionary (and obsessive) filmmaker David Fincher also helps.

‘The Social Reckoning,’ born from Sorkin finding something fresh to say about Facebook, only has one of those, but in his hands as director (a career he’s developed since the first ‘Social’), it at least functions as an effective, if flawed companion piece.

Script and Direction

Sorkin, in full control of the sound, look and tone of the new movie, is in full Sorkin mode here, for good and ill. On the good front, he certainly dials in to the issues swirling around not just social media but our divided wider culture. And he draws some excellent performances from the likes of Mikey Madison, Jeremy Allen White and Jeremy Strong.

The downside to unchecked Sorkin is that he also has the subtlety of a hammer to the head and his characters –– particularly some of the men –– have the tendency to sound like sock puppets (spare us another hero obsessed with classic musicals, Sork!)

Cast and Performances

Everyone here is on the top of their game –– Madison shows why her ‘Anora’ Oscar was no fluke, while White is solid as reporter Jeff Horwitz. Jeremy Strong, meanwhile, appears to be playing some sort of alien robot, but since he’s Mark Zuckerberg here, that feels appropriate.

Outside of the leads, the likes of Wunmi Mosaku, Betty Gilpin, Billy Magnussen and Bill Burr (who comes across as the least Sorkin-y character here, to rip-roaring effect), all work to keep the movie ticking along smoothly.

Final Thoughts

Will ‘The Social Reckoning’ leap to Oscar-winning status? It seems less likely, but it’s certainly a much better movie than the awkward trailers suggest. It also might not compare to a Fincher outing, but Sorkin breaks it out of stultifying “people in rooms talking” style with aplomb.

‘The Social Reckoning’ receives 75 out of 100.

What is the plot of ‘The Social Reckoning’?

Inspired by true events, the story follows Frances Haugen (Mikey Madison), a young Facebook engineer, enlists the help of Jeff Horwitz (Jeremy Allen White), a Wall Street Journal reporter, to go on a dangerous journey that ends up blowing the whistle on the social network’s most guarded secrets.

Who is in the cast of ‘The Social Reckoning’?

• Mikey Madison as Frances Haugen
• Jeremy Allen White as Jeff Horwitz
• Jeremy Strong as Mark Zuckerberg
• Bill Burr as Charlie
• Wunmi Mosaku as Raya
• Billy Magnussen as Teddy
• Betty Gilpin as Kris

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