MCM221 Assignment 1

Behind the Likes: What The Social Network Really Says About Us

Introduction 

Have you ever watched a film and felt pulled in two directions - admiring the main character and being frustrated by their actions? That’s exactly how I felt watching The Social Network—a movie that dives into the birth of Facebook and the messy relationships behind it. It’s not merely the drama that makes this film compelling.

 Let’s view The Social Network through the lens of Stuart Hall’s theory. It helps explain how filmmakers and media creator communicate ideas, and how audiences may understand them differently. I will also examine the narrative structure, editing, and performances to illustrate how they collectively craft a compelling story.”

Social Network and Cultural Network 

The Social Network offers more than the story of Facebook’s origins; it delves into the personal and social tensions behind the scenes. It highlight and emphasize on class, gender, privilege, and ambition. Think about the setting—Harvard University, an elite space where access equals power. It’s clear that this isn’t just a campus story it’s a  dive into how technology and capitalism are transforming the way we connect with each other.

The film presents a strong cultural message. It shows how influence is often reserved for certain people mostly men while women and less privileged groups are pushed aside. Whether on purpose or not, this gap shows that men and women are not equally represented in tech. It makes us ask who is included in creating new ideas and who is left out.

Through how the film is directed, written, and acted, the filmmakers communicate clear themes. Jesse Eisenberg’s portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg isn’t just about being a “nerd.” It’s about being brilliant but emotionally distant. The fast-paced editing and sharp, layered dialogue show how quick and intense the world of tech innovation can be. The film encourages viewers to reflect not just on the benefits of innovation but also on the sacrifices it demands.

Encoded Meaning 

We see themes like ambition vs. loyalty, genius vs. ethics, and individualism vs. teamwork. Eduardo Saverin represents friendship and trust, while Sean Parker brings in chaos and seduction influence that lures Zuckerberg deeper into a world of high-stakes success and ego-driven decisions. The  introduction of lawsuits as a storytelling device helps heighten tension and forces us to think critically about who's telling the truth.

The use of lawsuits as a storytelling device increases tension and introduces different truth in the film . Each character sees events differently, making us question who is really right. This complexity aligns with Hall’s theory—what the filmmakers encode isn't received in just one way. The audience is encouraged to engage critically and emotionally with what they're watching.

You can also see how gender and class play a big role in what the film is trying to say. The Winklevoss twins, who represent the traditional elite. Zuckerberg, though still part of the privileged Harvard circle, is portrayed as an outsider within the elite - self-made genius - with something to prove. Yet the irony remains: the power struggle still occurs within an already exclusive circle, reinforcing that the real influence in tech remains out of reach for those without certain advantages.

Decoded Meaning

As the viewer, I didn’t just sit absorb the film—I made sense out of it. That’s exactly what Stuart Hall talks about: we don’t just receive media; we make meaning from it based on our own views and experiences.

Some people might take a dominant reading—One common take is that Zuckerberg is clever who made difficult but necessary choice to succeed. But my reading was more negotiated.  I get that he’s really clever, but his choices really had a painful impact on others. This interpretation focuses on the impact Facebook has had on the world, framing the sacrifices made along the way as unfortunate but inevitable. He betrays his closest friend and showing little remorse, The film suggest thriving in a world that rewards such behaviour. Should you call that success, really.

Others may take an oppositional reading—criticizing the way the film endorsing bad behaviour or fails to give voice to women and people outside elite circles. From that angle, the film becomes a critique of tech culture and how it rewards the wrong action at the expense of people belief, culture.

Narrative Structure, Editing, and Performances

One of the most important things about The Social Network its non-linear narrative. Instead of following a straightforward storyline, the story shows through flashbacks, structured around two legal depositions. This back-and-forth format allows the audience to see what led to Facebook’s creation while also forming their own judgments about the betrayals and dilemmas at play. The editing style supports this format with fast cuts and transitions. The performances add even more depth: Jesse Eisenberg’s portrayal of Zuckerberg is emotionally distant but intellectually intense, while Andrew Garfield plays Eduardo with sincerity and heartbreak. Justin Timberlake’s Sean Parker brings a wild energy that disrupts the dynamic. These storytelling choices combine to deliver a film that’s both captivating and thought-provoking.

Conclusion

Using Hall’s theory to look at The Social Network changed the way I interpreted the film. It’s not just a story—it’s a conversation between the filmmakers and the audience. They encode messages through the story, visuals, and characters. We, as viewers, decode them differently depending on who we are and what we value.

The film left me thinking: Do we value innovation more than relationships? Is being successful worth losing people you care about? I just kept on asking myself may question and that's what defines an impactful film. The Social Network challenges us not only to appreciate genius but also to reflect on the kind of future that genius shapes.