First Reactions to The Social Reckoning Point to Solid Sequel Ahead of 9 October Release
The first members of the film press have seen Aaron Sorkin's The Social Reckoning, and early reactions range from positive to mixed ahead of its release in theatres on 9 October from Sony Pictures, according to Variety.
The film is billed as a companion piece to The Social Network, meaning a follow-up set in the same world rather than a straight continuation. It dramatises the 2021 Facebook leak, when former employee Frances Haugen shared internal documents with Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz.
Jeremy Strong plays Facebook co-founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg. Jeremy Allen White stars as Horwitz and Mikey Madison stars as Haugen, with Wunmi Mosaku, Betty Gilpin, Billy Magnussen and Bill Burr also in the cast.
Sorkin had asked Jesse Eisenberg to play Zuckerberg again. Eisenberg, who earned an Oscar nomination for the role in The Social Network, declined because he no longer wants to be associated with Zuckerberg.
Among the first responses shared by Variety, the film was called a "solid sequel" to The Social Network and "a harsh assessment of [Mark] Zuckerberg". Full reviews are still to come before the weekend opening.
Sorkin has spoken about his approach to Zuckerberg in interviews around the unveiling. He told The Hollywood Reporter why he does not present Zuckerberg as a villain, and said reaction to Zuckerberg after The Social Network came out split along generational lines. He also discussed what led him to write the new film in a Hollywood Reporter feature interview published on 1 October.
Strong has said he cares what Zuckerberg will think of the film, according to Deadline. Sorkin said in September that Strong treated his co-stars during filming the way he imagines Zuckerberg would treat them, an account reported by Variety.
The production underwent reshoots after its trailer was released. Sorkin said those reshoots were unrelated to the film's initial mixed reactions, according to Variety.
What makes this stand out for general moviegoers is the swap at the centre. A new Zuckerberg steps in, the story moves from a start-up dispute to a leak that made global headlines, and audiences will get a fuller verdict when reviews land later this week.
