“Aaron Sorkin’s latest film, “The Social Reckoning,” which follows “The Social Network,” is projected to earn only $5.5 million at the domestic box office this weekend, based on Sunday estimates.
This figure falls short of the studio’s already modest expectations of $7 million to $8 million, indicating that Sorkin’s newest project is unlikely to achieve the success of its predecessor. The original film debuted with $22 million in its opening weekend and ultimately grossed $97 million domestically (adjusted for 2010 ticket prices). It also garnered an Oscar for Sorkin and became a significant portrayal of Silicon Valley and startup culture.
Beyond its individual performance, this weekend’s box office figures might reflect audience enthusiasm—or lack thereof—as the fall season rolls in, featuring several films spotlighting malevolent real-world tech executives. Among these are Alex Gibney’s extensive documentary “Musk” (also debuting this weekend), Nathan Fielder’s unconventional documentary on Elizabeth Holmes titled “You Can See Everything” (set to release next weekend), and the boardroom drama “Artificial,” which has found a new distributor after parting ways with Amazon.
Additionally, Netflix is preparing to launch a series titled “The Altruists” in November that delves into Sam Bankman-Fried and the downfall of FTX.
Regarding “The Social Reckoning,” while “The Social Network” was a pronounced success, the movie landscape has evolved significantly over the past 16 years. The original film captured the thrill and tension of Facebook’s formative years, while the sequel adopts a more somber tone, focusing on whistleblower Frances Haugen’s decision to disclose what became known as the Facebook files.
Perhaps a film centered on congressional hearings and algorithmic controversies was always a tough sell. Additionally, the primary audience for “The Social Reckoning” might be older viewers, who have only begun returning sporadically to theaters. There is also the question of whether critiques of Facebook hold the same urgency for an audience increasingly concerned about AI developments.
Moreover, it’s important to note that the new film hasn’t received particularly positive reviews. (I personally found enjoyment in “The Social Reckoning,” though I’ll acknowledge it is heavily laden with Sorkin’s signature dialogue. I often envisioned how it might have unfolded under the direction of David Fincher, accompanied by a score from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.)
In the meantime, “Musk” earned $69,000 during its initial weekend in four theaters. It will expand to more venues in the following weeks, but due to its length and theme, it is likely that many viewers will discover the documentary once it becomes available for streaming on HBO Max.
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