The Social Reckoning Draws Mixed First Reactions From Critics

The Social Reckoning, Aaron Sorkin's follow-up to The Social Network, screened for critics and drew its first reactions ahead of its October 9 theatrical release from Sony Pictures, according to comingsoon.net.

The responses were split. Critic Tom Chatalbash praised Jeremy Strong's performance as Mark Zuckerberg and called the film a timely companion piece to The Social Network, but found Sorkin's direction flat. Critic Paul Klein was harsher, calling the film a shrug that misses the Fincher magic, while another critic said it should never have been marketed in connection with The Social Network.

Others were more positive. Awards Radar editor Joey Magidson wrote that the film fully engaged him, with a climax that got his blood boiling. Critic Manuel São Bento placed it on the same pedestal as The Social Network and singled out Mikey Madison as a whistleblower driven by love.

The film's roots go back to 2021, when the Facebook Files leak was made by whistleblower Frances Haugen and Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz. Jesse Eisenberg, who played Zuckerberg in The Social Network, originally turned down the role, telling Variety he did not want to be associated with that character. Sorkin later told Vanity Fair he spent three days trying to convince Eisenberg to return, but Eisenberg did not want to be conflated with Mark Zuckerberg anymore.