Jeremy Allen White recently expressed the overwhelming sense of responsibility he felt while portraying the iconic musician Bruce Springsteen. Speaking at the premiere of “The Social Reckoning” on 4 October, he shared with PEOPLE that the experience was both thrilling and anxiety-inducing, waking him up at night in “cold sweats.”
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White, best known for his role in the hit series “The Bear,” plays Jeff Horwitz, a former Wall Street Journal reporter. The film serves as a follow-up to Aaron Sorkin’s “The Social Network,” which premiered over a decade earlier. At the event held at New York City’s Regal Union Square, White discussed the pressures that come with playing a real-life figure, especially after having just depicted another very public person in 2025’s “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere.”
“I was thrilled to meet Aaron Sorkin, a writer I have admired for a long time,” White told PEOPLE. “However, upon reading the script, I realised the heavy responsibility of portraying a real individual.” He further elaborated, “The journey of playing such a well-known figure was truly an adventure, but it certainly had its challenges. I found myself waking up in the middle of the night, quite anxious about the role.”
The narrative of “The Social Reckoning” focuses on the events leading to the Wall Street Journal’s exposé “The Facebook Files,” which revealed serious allegations regarding the social media platform. These accusations included claims that Facebook allowed high-profile users to bypass important regulations, suppressed critical data regarding the harmful impacts of Instagram on teenagers, and made algorithmic changes that heightened user anger.
White highlighted the significance of portraying Horwitz authentically. “Telling this story honestly was essential to me,” he stated. “I felt deeply responsible for representing Jeff, a genuine person, and also for ensuring that the narrative was presented accurately.” He underscored the story’s compelling nature and expressed empathy with both the perspectives of Sorkin and Horwitz.
The film features another prominent character, Frances Haugen, played by Mikey Madison, who is portrayed as a Facebook whistleblower presenting potential stories to Horwitz. White shared, “There was considerable pressure to understand Jeff’s viewpoint thoroughly, as well as the broader context of the story. This world was quite a mystery to me before I started my preparations, and though I have learned much, some aspects remain enigmatic.”
In addition to his roles as Horwitz and Springsteen, White also portrayed a real-life figure in the wrestling drama, “The Iron Claw,” where he played Kerry Von Erich. This film captures the dynamic and devastating journey of the Von Erich wrestling family, further showcasing White’s range as an actor.
Despite his illustrious career, White acknowledged the emotional weight of his roles. “Every project brings its own set of challenges,” he remarked, adding that portraying someone with a complex story inherently comes with a mix of excitement and fear.
“The Social Reckoning” is set to be released in theatres on 9 October, promising to engage audiences with its deep dive into current societal issues surrounding technology and ethics. As White immerses himself in these challenging portrayals, his journey continues to resonate with both his personal experiences and the larger narratives at play.
As anticipation builds for the film, viewers can expect a gripping exploration of real events that have significant implications for society in this digital age. White’s dedication to authentically representing the figures he portrays reflects a broader trend in cinema that seeks to honour the complexity of real life through art.