The Social Reckoning: what do the first opinions say about the sequel to The Social Network?

Aaron Sorkin wrote and directed this sequel, and the first reviews are rather enthusiastic, even if the film is far from unanimous.

It’s one of the most anticipated films of the fall.

More than 15 years later The Social Networkhere is Mark Zuckerberg again and his creation which changed contemporary society.

A few hours before its theatrical release, the first journalists were able to discover The Social Reckoning and according to the first opinions posted online, Aaron Sorkin’s new film seems to have succeeded in its bet: to return to Facebook and without simply remaking David Fincher’s film. Opinions oscillate between enthusiasm and reservations, but one thing often comes up: the film is considered particularly hot and terribly current.

For Tom Chatalbash, The Social Reckoning East “a timely and exciting addition to The Social Network.” However, he believes that the film ultimately has more of the DNA of The Newsroom than that of Sorkin’s previous feature film. He notably salutes Mikey Madison and Jeremy Allen White, both “magnetic”. And then there’s Jeremy Strong, who delivers a Zuckerberg “fierce”. The actor does not simply seek to imitate the boss of Facebook but offers, according to Chatalbash, “his own interpretation” of the character. On the other hand, he finds thatthe screenplay is far from his best work. Its rather flat direction and the film’s sluggish pace almost dull its overall emotional impact; However, it is a story that not only deserves to be told, but which gives rise to a fascinating journalistic investigation film, arriving safely despite some turbulence. It’s a good film, without being excellent; he made me angry, when he should have made me furious.”

Awards Radar’s Joey Magidson shares some of these reservations. For him, The Social Reckoning is not “not the masterpiece that was The Social Network“. But that doesn’t stop him from succeeding.”a gradual and controlled build-up in tension leads to a denouement that made my blood boil, as it should. Without being subtle, the film perfectly complements the previous work“.

Manuel São Bento is much more enthusiastic and even places The Social Reckoning at the same level as The Social Network. Better yet, he believes that this sequel “counts more”. He describes: “Aaron Sorkin turns The Facebook Files into an infuriating movie about a company that knew exactly what it was doing. The free speech debate at its heart refuses easy answers, and Sorkin’s analogies hit hard. Some will say that the film comes too late since all this is already public, but “public” does not necessarily mean “known”. Mikey Madison is excellent in the role of a whistleblower driven by love, not resentment. The Zuckerberg played by Jeremy Strong is a caricature, certainly, but a caricature that I found credible (…) It is one of the most captivating films I have seen this year, and I am still revolted by what it says.”

Jeff Conway talks to him about a film “must see”. He describes The Social Reckoning as “a thoughtful, disturbing and critically important true story that explores the ups and downs of our age of digital communication, social media, the rise of misinformation and freedom of expression. Aaron Sorkin delivers a brilliant and uncompromising cinematic story, a real call to action. Jeremy Strong delivers a divisive and unusual interpretation in the role of Mark Zuckerberg. Mikey Madison is very credible as a person who expects the best from Facebook, but who shows courage by prioritizing his moral principles above all else..”

At the house of VarietyJazz Tangcay also applauds the performance of the already Oscar-winning actress for Anora : “Mikey Madison is fantastic and hits the screen” and congratulates Sorkin for “a brilliant script”while emphasizing how much the film resonates with our times. “Painfully current”she writes in substance.”I really liked the movie, even if it made me want to delete all my social media.”

Luke Hearfield admits to having approached the film with a lot of skepticism. And yet, he came away convinced. The Social Reckoning is in his eyes “a solid sequel” which above all manages to “jjustify its own existence as a virulent critic of the current and tumultuous state of society, both in the real world and in digital space. Do you hate content designed to provoke anger? Well, this film tells its genesis and will leave you furious once the end credits roll…“

The Social Reckoning will be released on Wednesday October 7 in France in cinemas and this weekend in the United States.