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Early critics call Sorkin's The Social Reckoning a solid but imperfect sequel

First reactions to Aaron Sorkin's The Social Network follow-up, which dramatizes the 2021 Facebook leak, range from positive to mixed. It opens in US theaters on Oct. 9.

2 outlets · 1L · 1C · 0R First reported Account updated
Image: Variety
Image: Screen Rant

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The story, neutrally told

Mixed · 2Film critics who have seen Aaron Sorkin's "The Social Reckoning" early have posted first reactions that Variety describes as ranging "from positive to mixed". Mixed · 2The film is a follow-up to 2010's "The Social Network". It dramatizes the 2021 Facebook leak by whistleblower Frances Haugen and Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz, who are played by Mikey Madison and Jeremy Allen White. Mixed · 2Sorkin wrote the film and directs it, taking over from David Fincher, who directed the first film. Jeremy Strong plays Mark Zuckerberg in place of Jesse Eisenberg.

Mixed · 2Critic Tom Chatalbash called it "a timely and compelling companion piece" with a "ferocious" Strong. He also found the direction "rather flat" and the pacing "listless", and called it "a good, just not great film". Mixed · 2Joey Magidson of Awards Radar said it is "not the masterpiece that was 'The Social Network'" but "still fully engaged me". He called it "hardly subtle". Centre · 1Matt Neglia was more critical. He wrote that the material feels "like it’s arriving five years too late" and that Sorkin's dialogue is something no real people would speak.

Centre · 1Luke Hearfield went in a skeptic and came away "very impressed". He called the film "a solid sequel" and "a scathing indictment of the current tumultuous state of society", but said the ending "verges on corny" and that Sorkin's writing outshines his direction. Left · 1Variety adds that Sorkin first asked Eisenberg to return as Zuckerberg and Eisenberg declined, saying he did not want to be associated with the character. Sorkin told Vanity Fair he spent three days trying to persuade Eisenberg. Left · 1Full reviews are due before the film opens in theaters on Oct. 9 from Sony Pictures.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.

Left1 outlet

Framing
Variety rounds up first reactions, leading with the film's strengths and noting the mixed ones. It puts the casting of Strong and Eisenberg's refusal at the centre.
Emphasis
The critics' pull-quotes, the 'harsh assessment of Zuckerberg', and the Eisenberg and Sorkin behind-the-scenes comments.
Leaves out or plays down
It quotes none of the skeptical reactions, such as the 'five years too late' remark.
Charged language
“harsh assessment of [Mark] Zuckerberg”“scathing indictment”
For example
“range from positive to mixed among critics who saw the timely drama early” — Variety

Centre1 outlet

Framing
Screen Rant gives a straightforward rundown of critic quotes, with background on the first film's awards and the change of director.
Emphasis
A mix of praise and criticism, including the 'too late' view, and the film's commentary on ragebait.
Leaves out or plays down
It leaves out the Eisenberg casting story and the release date. It says the film 'has been released' although it opens Oct. 9.
Charged language
“ragebait”“scathing indictment”
For example
“the material feels like it’s arriving five years too late” — Screen Rant

Right0 outlets

No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.