‘The Social Network’ revisited: How the film reflects today’s digital world
By Nikolai Hogan
Knightly News CPC Film Series Correspondent
nikolai.hadleyhogan@mymail.centralpenn.edu
The CPC Film Series returned to the Capital Blue Cross Theatre Friday with a screening of David Fincher’s film “The Social Network.”
Hosted by Associate Professor of English Amanda Stuckey, adviser of the Central Penn chapter of the national honor and servie society Gamma Beta Phi, the event offered students, faculty and community members a chance to explore the film’s themes of ambition, innovation and the cost of success in the digital age.
The Knightly News Media Club @ Central Penn College sponsors the film series, under the auspices of the CPC Film Series Committee, which means the club keeps money for its treasury that people donate for refreshments. The media club cosponsored “The Social Network” with Gamma Beta Phi, and split the $40 in donations with the society for a food-pantry drive Gamma Beta Phi is holding through February.
Before the screening, Stuckey provided insights into the film’s creation, its real-life inspirations and the ethical dilemmas it presents. While “The Social Network” is widely praised for its sharp writing and performances by many household names, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has publicly criticized the film for its numerous inaccuracies. However, as Stuckey pointed out, whether or not the film is factually perfect is less important than the broader messages it tells about power, relationships and the evolving role of tech in society.
Sitting down with the host
As part of The Knightly News Podcast, I had the opportunity to discuss “The Social Network” with Stuckey alongside Knightly News Podcast host Professor Paul Miller. Together, we discussed the movie’s continued relevance, how its themes have evolved and the impact of social media on modern life, even more so now than 15 years ago, when the film was released. That podcast can be found here.
While sitting down with Stuckey before the presentation, I asked about how “The Social Network” addresses the dynamics of innovation, competition and personal relationships in the tech industry. Stuckey said the film’s focus was on ambition and its consequences.
“The movie wants us to think about ambition, ideas, career progression and does that come at the cost of personal relationships?” she said.
After seeing the film, that’s undoubtedly true. Jesse Eisenberg’s portrayal of Zuckerberg is cynical and illustrates the Facebook CEO as a self-centered jerk, sure, but it is all for what his character thinks is a genius idea that could change the entire landscape of the internet and the greater world.
Stuckey expanded on how the film portrays success in the digital age.
“In many ways, the film champions success, showing how Zuckerberg subverts traditional structures of power,” she explained. “He doesn’t need physical strength or wealth to make a genius innovation, but in the process, he sacrifices real-life relationships.” she explained.
Zuckerberg’s relationship with his best friend, Eduardo Saverin, crumbles throughout the film as Zuckerberg continues to focus on innovating his company through external deals and concentrating on the analytics of it, not the ethics of keeping his relationships.
We also discussed how social media, as reflected in the film, shapes individual identities and global culture. With over 3 billion users worldwide, Facebook and platforms like it connect people in a vast number of ways.
“Social media creates global communities,” Stuckey pointed out. “For young people especially, it offers a sense of belonging when they don’t see people like themselves in their immediate surroundings. But it’s important not to let social media replace real interpersonal connections.”
On the topic of entrepreneurship, “The Social Network” offers two contrasting visions. Stuckey highlighted this in her presentation by saying, “It shows one side where success comes through traditional means, like internships, advertisements, structured growth. But it also depicts another path, where a single good idea, pursued with passion, can change the world. That kind of ambition leads to technological breakthroughs, but it’s not without cost.”
The film highlights this by showing the type of people Zuckerberg and Saverin are and how they both followed different paths in life.
Film review and themes
Stuckey’s presentation guided the audience through the film’s key themes, including power, betrayal and the ethical dilemmas of success. She talked about David Fincher’s meticulous direction, which creates a fascinating and realistic narrative that remains engaging even for those unfamiliar with the story of Facebook’s creation. The film’s sweeping of several Academy Awards was noted, too. This film is an all-time classic in the eyes of many cinephiles.
Another aspect of the discussion was how the film’s themes have evolved in the 15 years since its release. While the movie focuses on the early 2000s tech boom, its exploration of online influence, misinformation and corporate ethics is even more relevant today. With the rise of AI, privacy concerns and the impact of social media platforms, the film feels more like a cautionary tale than it ever has and will continue to do so in the foreseeable future.
The CPC Film Series continues to offer a platform for discussion, personal stories and overall passion. It allows attendees to explore films through an academic and personal lens. Events like these remind us that movies are more than entertainment. Movies reflect our world, sparking conversations that extend far beyond the theater, regardless of genre.
The CPC Film Series will return in the spring term. Look for an announcement in the coming weeks on the film and presenter.
Comment or story idea? Contact KnightlyEditors@CentralPenn.Edu.
Edited by Knightly News Media Club @ Central Penn College co-advisers Paul Miller and Michael Lear-Olimpi.
