David Fincher’s drama The Social Network, penned by Aaron Sorkin, stands as one of the defining films of the 21st century, chronicling the birth of Facebook as both a technological revolution and a story of friendship turned bitter rivalry. With its razor-sharp script and precise direction, the film explores ambition, power, and betrayal in the digital age.
Jesse Eisenberg stars as Mark Zuckerberg, a Harvard undergraduate whose obsessive intelligence and social alienation fuel his drive to create something bigger than himself.
After a breakup with Erica (Rooney Mara), Mark’s frustration leads him to begin coding what would become the foundations of Facebook.
Alongside his best friend and financier Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield), Mark launches “The Facebook,” which quickly grows beyond their dorm room into a global phenomenon.
Complications soon arise. The Winklevoss twins (both played by Armie Hammer, with Josh Pence as a double), enlist legal action against Zuckerberg, claiming he stole their idea for a Harvard-exclusive social network.
Adding further tension is the arrival of Napster founder Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake), whose charisma and vision seduce Zuckerberg, pulling him further away from Eduardo.
The battle for control leads to betrayal, lawsuits, and the fracturing of what began as a personal project between friends.
Supporting performances from Max Minghella, Brenda Song, John Getz, and Dakota Johnson help round out the world of privilege, parties, and power struggles as Mark ascends while losing almost everything personal along the way.
Rooney Mara and Jesse Eisenberg in The Social Network (Photo/Sony Pictures)
Performances and Craft
Eisenberg captures Zuckerberg’s blend of brilliance and emotional detachment with uncanny precision, while Garfield delivers a deeply sympathetic turn as Eduardo, the friend left behind in the rush of ambition.
Timberlake surprises with a slick, dangerous performance as Sean Parker, embodying both allure and toxicity.
The choice to cast Armie Hammer in a dual role, enhanced by seamless effects, created one of the most memorable portrayals of sibling rivalry on screen.
Fincher’s controlled, moody direction pairs perfectly with Sorkin’s rapid-fire dialogue, each scene layered with tension, wit, and subtext.
The film’s pulsating score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross deepens its somber, relentless drive.
Reception for The Social Network
The Social Network grossed $22.4 million on its opening weekend, finishing No. 1 at the box office.
The film would gross $224.9 million worldwide.
Roger Ebert gave the film four out of four stars in his review.
The Social Network premiered at the New York Film Festival on September 24, 2010 and in theaters on October 1, 2010.
Legacy
The Social Network earned critical acclaim, including three Academy Awards, and has since been recognized as one of the decade’s most essential films.
Beyond recounting the origins of a tech giant, it captured the cultural moment when social media shifted from novelty to necessity.
Its depiction of friendship, greed, and ambition resonates far beyond Silicon Valley, making it not just a film about Facebook’s creation, but a reflection on the human desire for recognition and power in a hyper-connected world.
