Quentin Tarantino’s Best Movie of the Decade

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I was part of the audience that found “The Social Network” to be one of the standout movies of 2010. However, over time, it became known more casually as “The Facebook Movie.” But those who have witnessed this edge-of-your-seat drama can attest that Jesse Eisenberg delivered an exceptional performance, unveiling the reality behind one of the world’s wealthiest men. What’s interesting is that it’s not just the critics who hold this view. Quentin Tarantino went so far as to declare it one of the best films of the last ten years.

This movie goes beyond just portraying Mark Zuckerberg’s ups and downs; “The Social Network” serves as a contemporary critique on college cliques and how exclusive groups can rapidly escalate into real-life issues. Additionally, with rumors of a sequel on the horizon, this is an excellent opportunity for fans to revisit the film and reflect on its profound influence.

The Social Network Pioneered a New Type of Biopic

Indeed, as anticipated, “The Social Network” delves into the story behind the creation of the social media colossus, Facebook. The movie narrates the journey of a Harvard sophomore named Mark Zuckerberg, who partners with Eduardo Saverin to develop a platform for Ivy League students to interact, known as “TheFacebook”. However, the dispute with the prominent Winklevoss twins over an alleged idea theft escalates into a protracted legal battle. Essentially, the film seeks to portray the genesis of Facebook and how Zuckerberg outmaneuvered his contemporaries to become the world’s youngest billionaire.

To truly understand the influence of this movie, viewers should recall that it debuted in 2010, an era when Facebook reigned supreme. At that time, Zuckerberg was admired by many as a visionary geek who spotted a profitable opportunity. However, The Social Network swiftly reveals Zuckerberg’s more questionable character traits, particularly his past academic suspension. Following a breakup with his girlfriend, Zuckerberg crafted a small site for hacking and downloading images of female students, ranking them by attractiveness. Predictably, Harvard placed the entrepreneur on academic probation for those actions. Yet, these scenes underscore The Social Network’s innovative approach to biographical films. Unlike traditional biopics that often center around musicians or historical figures such as Ray or The Pianist, this film aimed to present Mark Zuckerberg in a fresh perspective, demonstrating the underhanded maneuvers he executed to achieve his wealth and success.

Discussing The Social Network properly requires acknowledging its diverse ensemble. Jesse Eisenberg seems fitting for the role of Mark Zuckerberg, given his physical resemblance. However, prior to this movie, Eisenberg was predominantly known as a comedic actor. His performances in Adventureland and Get Real often typecast him as a typical teen actor capable only of portraying an awkward, lovesick adolescent. Yet, in The Social Network, he demonstrated remarkable skill in showcasing Zuckerberg’s intelligence and social naivete. It’s worth mentioning that Justin Timberlake also appeared in this film, playing Sean Parker, the first president of Facebook. At the time, Timberlake had mostly stepped away from music, but his performance in this film was warmly received and helped him transcend his image as a pop star.

The movie titled “The Social Network” garnered extensive acclaim from critics, particularly for its screenplay and soundtrack. Notably lacking in graphic violence and profanity, Quentin Tarantino confidently declared it as the finest film of the decade without reservation. In an interview, the director elaborated on this assertion.

The Marketing Efforts for This Movie Are Wildly Underrated

Where to Stream The Social NetworkIMDb ScoreRT Score
Prime Video7.8/1096%

In an unexpected twist for this movie, the promotional poster, designed by Steven Soderbergh, was quite forward-thinking. Known for his work on the “Oceans” series, he was tasked with creating a poster using the sole approved image of Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg. The challenge was significant, but the creative mind behind it managed to create an effective design. By showcasing a flat, lifeless headshot of the actor with the phrase “You don’t get 500 million friends without making a few enemies” emblazoned across his face, he captured the essence of the film’s theme before its release. The tagline originally read “300 million,” but was altered to reflect Facebook’s impending milestone of 500 million users. Remarkably, this poster, released six months prior to the film premiere, made a lasting impression on audiences. They immediately identified Eisenberg with Facebook’s founder, and the brooding tone of the poster signaled that “The Social Network” would not glorify Zuckerberg, but instead offer a hard-hitting portrayal of his business dealings.

On June 25, 2010, the debut trailer for the movie was unveiled, swiftly gaining recognition as a potent homage to the film’s lofty objectives. The trailer presents clips typical of any trailer, yet it pairs these scenes with a stirring rendition of Radiohead’s “Creep”. While some might find this artistic approach a bit overt, there’s no disputing its effectiveness. Even in its brief trailers, The Social Network aimed to convey that Zuckerberg was not the solitary victim portrayed by the tech world, but rather an elite student at Harvard who had the potential for numerous friendships, yet chose a path into ruthless business. Music plays a crucial role in this film, and this haunting rendition of Radiohead’s signature tune underscores the movie’s commitment to capturing every aspect of the story faithfully.

A Sequel Could Impact the Course of Modern Cinema

Upon reconsideration, The Social Network now appears as if an incomplete movie. A great deal has transpired since Mark Zuckerberg was labeled the world’s youngest billionaire; changes not just in social media, but also in the broader business landscape. For instance, Facebook is no longer the leading social media platform, and when it comes to lucrative sectors like influencer marketing, its relevance has waned. However, following the creation of Facebook, Zuckerberg expanded his empire by acquiring Instagram, further diversifying his ventures’ profitability.

While some contend that corporations such as Facebook are gradually undermining human interaction, primarily due to privacy concerns, it’s important to note that in June 2025, Aaron Sorkin announced the production of The Social Network II. This sequel is expected to shift its focus from Mark Zuckerberg and instead delve into Facebook’s criticisms stemming from its business practices. In much the same way that The Social Network served as a wake-up call for a society overly engrossed in social media during the 2010s, it seems that The Social Network II may serve as a corrective measure for a world overly dependent on potentially harmful systems.

The sequel might offer an opportunity for “The Social Network” to overcome its initial shortcomings. Originally, some critics felt that the movie portrayed Harvard as an exclusive sanctuary, while many viewers were displeased with the portrayal of Zuckerberg as a genius rather than an ordinary student. However, given that the sequel is motivated by how platforms like Facebook instigated events such as the January 6th riots, it could shift its focus from depicting Zuckerberg accurately and instead concentrate on Facebook as a comprehensive entity.

Essentially, “The Social Network” transcends being merely a film about Mark Zuckerberg or Facebook. It showcases the power of cinema in telling captivating narratives, even when some facts may not be entirely accurate. The movie offers a glimpse into the enigmatic figure behind Facebook’s success who was somewhat elusive for quite some time. While it could have delved deeply into the potential pitfalls of amassing vast wealth at a young age, “The Social Network” serves as a cautionary tale to its audience, encouraging them to scrutinize their idols and understand their motivations before unquestioningly lauding their accomplishments.

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2025-07-05 01:26