The Social Reckoning: 3 powerful takes on mixed reactions

“The Social Reckoning” has split early viewers ahead of its Oct. 9 theatrical release. Aaron Sorkin’s Facebook drama drew praise for its actors and dialogue, along with complaints about direction and pacing. The reactions offer three points to watch as the film reaches theaters. In Variety’s roundup of first reactions, critic Tom Chatalbash singled out Mikey Madison, Jeremy Allen White and Jeremy Strong. He praised the actors’ work and Sorkin’s dialogue but said the filmmaking did not deliver the emotional impact he wanted. Chatalbash’s reservations included the film’s direction and pace. Awards Radar editor Joey Magidson responded more favorably to its gradual build toward the climax. He found it engaging even though he did not rank it alongside “The Social Network.” These are individual early responses, rather than a settled critical consensus. Sony describes the movie as a companion to “The Social Network.” Its official synopsis centers on Facebook engineer Frances Haugen, played by Madison, and Wall Stre