And we couldn't start this list with any other film. The Social Network, directed by David Fincher, is a powerful portrayal of the behind-the-scenes story of Facebook’s creation, featuring a stellar performance by Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg. While Fincher took creative liberties with some real-life details and character dynamics, the film remains essential for understanding how Facebook came to be — and the path that led it to what it is today. A great starting point to better grasp the world of social media.
And who says Brazilian cinema doesn’t address the impact of social media? Liquid Truth (Aos Teus Olhos) is a powerful drama for our digital age, where it's all too easy to accuse someone without knowing the full story. On one hand, minorities struggle to be heard; on the other, malicious individuals spread lies with ease — in a world where facts no longer need to be verified to become so-called “truths.” The film presents different perspectives on a single event: the relationship between a swimming instructor and his students. If the media once had the power to ruin reputations, this story shows how social media amplifies that destruction tenfold.
A film that goes a step beyond The Social Dilemma, offering a deeper and more urgent discussion, is The Great Hack. This documentary explores the infamous Cambridge Analytica scandal, which in 2018 became the poster child for the dark side of social media. The Great Hack covers a wide range of ground — from a much-needed preface on our relationship with digital platforms that harvest our personal data, to the murky ethical practices of Facebook itself. It’s a timely documentary that tackles critical, yet often overlooked, questions about how to resist manipulation and propaganda online. After watching, don’t be surprised if you feel like deleting your Facebook account.
To complete this trio of documentaries, we have After Truth: Disinformation and the Cost of Fake News, an HBO exclusive. The film delves into the post-truth world, where an overwhelming flood of information — from all sides — arrives hand in hand with falsehoods, the infamous fake news. This chaotic mix ends up alienating more than informing, becoming a tool often used by political forces to consolidate power. After Truth takes a deep dive into this reality, exposing the devastating impact of disinformation on society. Directed by Andrew Rossi, who also helmed the excellent Page One: Inside the New York Times, the film is essential viewing for communication professionals and students — especially journalists — or anyone seeking to better understand the current state of the world.
And to wrap up our list, it's important to highlight one of the biggest problems on social media today: the unchecked, irrational hatred fueled by so-called “haters.” Not to mention fake news, which now shapes governments, societies, and institutions. This Polish feature film, directed by Jan Komasa (of Corpus Christi, Oscar-nominated for Best International Feature), explores the boundaries and dangers of this kind of behavior — a disturbing byproduct of the internet age. Cold, controversial, and thought-provoking, The Hater follows the journey of a young man who exploits online anonymity to orchestrate hate campaigns. But things take a dramatic turn when Komasa brings the consequences of this digital hate into the real world. A provocative and reflective film that raises the alarm on the risks of such behavior.