On this episode of Sound Speed Action, we review The Social Reckoning, Aaron Sorkin’s new drama starring Mikey Madison as Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, Jeremy Allen White as Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz, and Jeremy Strong as Mark Zuckerberg. The Social Reckoning comes out swinging and makes the case on issues that are hard to dispute. That is exactly why it didn’t work for me.
It also stumbled hard at the box office opening weekend, and I think I know why. But this is not a hit piece. Sorkin is one of the writers I love most, and I’d rather be straight with you about him than grade him on a curve. I’ll tell you where I think this one slipped, and then I’ll make the case for why I’ll still be there opening night for whatever he does next.
What We Cover:
Sold As The Wrong Movie: Sony marketed this as a companion to The Social Network. Why that promise set the movie up to disappoint before anyone bought a ticket.
Hoping For The Insider: A journalist, a whistleblower, one promise. I walked in hoping for my favorite film, and it took me a while to recalibrate.
What Works: Mikey Madison carries the movie in her first major role since Anora, Jeremy Allen White gets the classic Sorkin rhythms, and Bill Burr gives the performance I can’t stop thinking about.
The Zuckerberg Question: Jeremy Strong’s take has divided people. If you’re expecting Jesse Eisenberg, you’ll be disappointed, and I think that’s the right call.
Two Things That Fell Flat: Two honest gripes about a movie with a great team behind the camera.
Two Words: Sorkin taught a whole generation of writers the two words that turn a message into a story. What happens when his own movie forgets them.
Jinxed From The Start: The people who didn’t come back, and why this one may have been in trouble before a single frame was shot.
Sorkin Will Be Back: The body of work that keeps me buying tickets, a Molly’s Game monologue every acting student should be handed, and why people on the left and the right both love his shows.
Fellow Sorkin fans, how are you doing after this one? Tell me your favorite Sorkin movie and your favorite Sorkin series.
Connect & Support:
Show Website: https://www.ssapod.com
Follow & Review: If you enjoyed this breakdown, please leave a review on your podcast app and follow the show for more cinema breakdowns.
