The Social Network parents guide

The Social Network Parent Guide

Putting in strong performances, the actors in this film bring believable versions of the multi-billionaires to the big screen.

Overall C

Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) wants to leave his mark on the world, so the Harvard undergrad rounds up some friends and begins to create an Internet social network. However, as the project builds his personal relationships crumble, especially with the site's co-founder Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield). This drama is based on the true story of the inventors of Facebook.

Release date October 1, 2010

Violence B
Sexual Content C
Profanity D
Substance Use D

Why is The Social Network rated PG-13? The MPAA rated The Social Network PG-13 for sexual content, drug and alcohol use and language

Run Time: 121 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

In The Social Network, the character of Mark Zuckerburg (played by Jesse Eisenberg) is an academically brilliant, but socially inept, Harvard undergrad. When his girlfriend Erica Albright (Rooney Mara) breaks off their relationship, Mark retaliates by posting his unedited thoughts about her on his blog. (The same lack of personal censorship has come back to sting other social network users who hit post before reconsidering their comments.) Mark then hacks into the school’s directory, steals information and sets up a website where his fellow classmates can rate the girls on campus.

While the site doesn’t do anything to endear him to the female population, it catches on immediately with the male students. The stunt also comes to the attention of the faculty when it brings down the school’s server. The result is academic probation for the computer whiz. Yet despite that, Mark convinces his friend Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield) to help him create an even bigger version of a social networking site. In exchange for a thousand dollars seed money and a mathematical algorithm to make the program work, Eduardo becomes the business manager for the fledgling company that ultimately becomes Facebook.

Meanwhile Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss (Armie Hammer) approach Mark with their own idea for a social website and ask him to help them write the computer code necessary to launch it. But accusations and lawsuits fly when Mark unveils his own version of the concept after repeatedly ignoring the twins’ attempts to communicate with him.

As the popularity of the original thefacebook.com explodes, NAPSTER creator Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake) approaches Mark and convinces him and his programmers to relocate to sunny California (where it appears the group lives solely on licorice and liquor). The move tears a rift between Mark and Eduardo who have different ideas about the company’s direction and initiates yet another court case aimed at the young entrepreneur.

During scenes of the hearings, Mark remains indifferent to the allegations and insolent toward the plaintiffs and their lawyers. Though he has all the smarts needed to found a world-changing phenomenon, his lack of social skills and maturity fuel hurt feelings and threatens the company’s reputation. Consequently, it may be difficult for some audience members to warm up to this character that can hardly maintain a face-to-face relationship and yet is the guru behind the largest social site to date.

Putting in strong performances, the actors in this film bring believable versions of the multi-billionaires to the big screen. Unfortunately, these newly minted moneymakers use some strong expletives to express themselves. They also get involved in plenty of sexual exploits and parties that include smoking, drinking and the recreational use of illegal drugs.

While Facebook now boasts a net worth in the billions and over 500 million active users, this production gives a new face to the story behind its beginning—one that is often more acrimonious than friendly.

Directed by David Fincher. Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake. Running time: 121 minutes. Theatrical release October 1, 2010. Updated

The Social Network
Rating & Content Info

Why is The Social Network rated PG-13? The Social Network is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for sexual content, drug and alcohol use and language

Violence: After an argument, a character threatens to hit another. During a fraternity initiation, students are forced to take off their clothes while standing outside in cold weather. They are also subjected to other humiliation.

Sexual Content: Young adults frequently discuss sexual activities. Two couples have sex in bathroom stalls (some sounds are heard but no action is shown). A man and a woman engage in sexual activity with few details shown. A young adult female becomes possessive and abusive in her relationship with a man. Women dance suggestively at nightclubs and exclusive parties. Girls kiss each other. Characters are seen in underwear and skimpy clothing. Students play strip poker. Nearly nude characters are briefly seen.

Language: At least two strong sexual expletives are used, along with rude hand gestures. Numerous profanities, crude slang and terms of Deity are included in the script as well.

Alcohol / Drug Use: Characters, including underage students, drink frequently. One young adult appears to be intoxicated. Smoking is portrayed among young adults. Partygoers snort cocaine. A character discusses his past problems with illegal drugs.

Other: A boy humiliates a girl on the Internet. Characters engage in dishonest activities.

Page last updated

The Social Network Parents' Guide

How might the accomplishments of these young men influence others who hope to achieve similar fame and fortune? How much of their success is based on their own abilities and how much is the result of good connections? Can money and recognition interfere with personal relationships?

What does this film suggest about life on university campuses? Do you think these depictions are accurate? How might the partying lifestyle impact a student’s academic achievements?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of The Social Network movie is January 11, 2011. Here are some details…

The Social Network releases as a 2-Disc Collector’s dition Blu-ray and DVD on January 11, 2011. The package includes:

Disc 1:

- Audio Commentary with Director David Fincher

- Audio Commentary with Writer Aaron Sorkin, Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer and Josh Pence

Disc 2:

- How Did They Ever Make a Movie of Facebook? (Four-Part Feature-Length Documentary on the Making of the Film, from the Script to the Screenplay to Casting to Production)

- Featurette on Post (Editors Angus Wall and Kirk Baxter and Sound Designer Ren Klyce Discuss Editing the Film and the Different Layers They Created Using Different Takes, Angles and Sound Effects)

- Featurette on the Score (David Fincher, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross Discuss the Process of Creating the Score)

- Featurette on the Visuals (David Fincher and DP Jeff Cornenweth Discuss Creating the Look for the Film)

- Swarmatron (Atticus Rose Explains the Swarmatron Sound Machine Used to Create Parts of the Score)

- In the Hall of the Mountain King (Multi-Angle Music Exploration which Allows Viewers to Watch the Same Scene Four Different Ways with Different Layers of Music)

- Ruby Skye VIP Room (Multi-Angle Scene Breakdown)

Related home video titles:

Films that also deal with current real life characters include the spy thriller Breach and the football story The Blind Side.

The challenges faced by other inventors have been the bases for the movie scripts of Flash of Genius, Tucker: The Man And His Dream and Kitty Hawk: The Wright Brothers’ Journey Of Invention.

Related news about The Social Network

A Dozen (Or So) Films to Celebrate Your Geekness

A Dozen (Or So) Films to Celebrate Your Geekness

{parents:pull_quote}

The Academy Awards’ Love Affair with Biopics Is Good News for Eddie Redmayne

The Academy Awards’ Love Affair with Biopics Is Good News for Eddie Redmayne

{parents:pull_quote}