The Social Reckoning

The story begins in 2019, when Frances Haugen tries to show her superiors that her research has revealed that 64 percent of all Facebook users involved in extremist groups were directed there by Facebook itself. It was Facebook that contributed to their radicalization. But no one wants to acknowledge it, so she turns to reporter Jeff Horwitz of the Wall Street Journal. The two begin working together as the pandemic hits and, in 2021, the presidential-instigated storming of the Capitol takes place.

The film jumps back and forth narratively between three levels, further dividing the narrative structure into chapters. Sorkin once again proves himself a master at juggling complex narrative patterns and arranging them in such a way as to maximize tension. He also plays with form and narrative breaks. At one point, he shows the feet of people marching – without context, which only emerges later when the film arrives at January 6, 2021. 

"The Social Reckoning" is the dark counterpart to "The Social Network." While Mark Zuckerberg's actions were already questionable in that film, here the focus is on the perversion of the dream. Mikey Madison's character is essentially forced to become a whistleblower because her conscience leaves her no other choice.