--- title: "The Social Network: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-social-network/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-social-network" critics_score: 90 critics_reviews: 6 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Social Network (2010): what the critics said Critics' score 90 from 6 reviews: 6 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. The reviews are consistently positive, with praise clustering around Sorkin’s sharp dialogue, Fincher’s controlled direction and Jesse Eisenberg’s performance as Zuckerberg. Most critics find the founding of Facebook compelling drama about ambition, loyalty and isolation, rather than merely an account of a business taking shape. Fincher earns credit for keeping multiple timelines and competing perspectives clear, while Eisenberg makes a difficult protagonist absorbing without making him reassuringly likeable. There is little outright dissent, and the supplied reviews offer few substantial complaints about the filmmaking. The differences concern how critics interpret its central character and the significance of his creation. Total Film values the refusal to demonise Zuckerberg; The Guardian stresses the spite behind the enterprise and questions whether its money and excitement amount to anything substantial. The spread is chiefly one of enthusiasm, from firm approval to unreserved praise, rather than disagreement over whether the film works. ## Radio Times — Trevor Johnston Rating 5/5. The critic calls it a riveting morality tale and cautionary story of greed, loyalty and friendship, highlighting Sorkin's dazzling wordplay and Fincher's focused direction along with Timberlake's swaggering turn as Sean Parker. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-578job/the-social-network/) ## Slant Magazine — Nick Schager Rating 4/4. 25 September 2010. The review lauds the film's electric pace and Eisenberg's performance, singling out the tragicomic portrayal of Zuckerberg's alienation despite creating a tool for connection, and Fincher's ambivalent take on the internet age. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-social-network/) ## Empire — Damon Wise Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 20 June 2010. The critic praises the film's sharp, dialogue-driven portrayal of the founding of Facebook as a paradox of connection and isolation, highlighting strong performances especially from Jesse Eisenberg and the restrained direction by Fincher that brings clarity to multiple timelines. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/social-network-review/) ## Time Out — Dave Calhoun Rating 4/5. 12 October 2010. The critic praises the mischievous tale of Facebook's origins that combines Sorkin's talky rigour with Fincher's crisp imagery. Eisenberg's storming performance as Zuckerberg and the film's reminder of audience complicity in the social media story stand out. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-social-network) ## Total Film — Andy Lowe Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 29 September 2010. The critic calls it a compelling creation myth that succeeds by not demonizing Zuckerberg, commending Fincher's handling of multiple perspectives and unreliable narrators alongside Eisenberg's captivating performance as the driven but flawed protagonist. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/the-social-network-review/) ## Film Comment — Scott Foundas The critic calls the film big, brash and brilliant, praising its razor-sharp script, energetic direction and perceptive social commentary on power, privilege and the shift to virtual society. [Read the review](https://www.filmcomment.com/article/the-social-network-review/) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan 1 October 2010. The critic calls the film a barn-burner of a tale, smartly written and directed to within an inch of its life, anchored by a perfectly pitched performance by Jesse Eisenberg. It succeeds as archetypal movie drama about the corrupting power of ambition while presenting Zuckerberg as unlikable yet compelling. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-oct-01-la-et-social-network-20101001-story.html) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw 14 October 2010. Fincher and Sorkin deliver a compulsively watchable portrait of the spiteful personalities and hyperactive spirit behind Facebook's creation, with strong performances especially from Jesse Eisenberg as Zuckerberg. The film captures the fever of the startup while implying it produced money and buzz rather than anything substantial. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/oct/14/the-social-network-review) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Kirk Honeycutt 12 October 2010. The critic praises the mesmerizing portrait of the unlikable yet original protagonist Mark Zuckerberg, highlighting Fincher's direction and the insightful script that turns the story of Facebook's creation into a compelling character study of ambition and isolation. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/social-network-review-movie-2010-6050/) ## The New York Times — Manohla Dargis 24 September 2010. Festival review. The critic describes the film as a fleet, weirdly funny, exhilarating and alarming fictionalized look at the man behind Facebook, driven by desire, triumph and betrayal. It is hailed as a creation story for the digital age and a morality tale about the new power elite and the geek inheriting the earth. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/24/movies/24nyffsocial.html) ## Variety — Justin Chang 21 September 2010. The critic praises the film as a penetrating, entertaining study of ego, ambition and the slippery nature of enterprise in the founding of Facebook. Fincher and Sorkin are singled out for the film's whip-smart dialogue, strong characterizations and disciplined direction that avoids gimmicks. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2010/film/reviews/the-social-network-1117943655/) ## Den of Geek — Ron Hogan Rating 5/5. 4 October 2010. The critic hails the film as one of the most interesting, well-written and well-acted ensemble dramas of the year, praising Sorkin’s crackling script, Fincher’s direction and the strong cast. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-social-network-review-2/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-social-network.md