Frances Haugen, the whistleblower who exposed troubling practices at Facebook, serves as the inspiration for Aaron Sorkin’s recently released film, *The Social Reckoning*. Actress Mikey Madison portrays Haugen in the biopic, which has been drawing attention since it hit theatres on October 9.
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Madison, now 27 years old, spoke to PEOPLE about the process of embodying Haugen, a figure who went from being a dedicated Facebook employee to a pivotal whistleblower. The portrayal is not a direct documentary, but rather a dramatized version of Haugen’s remarkable journey. Madison emphasised that while her character is based on Haugen, the narrative closely mirrors the critical moments of Haugen’s life.
The actress, who recently gained acclaim for her performance in the Oscar-winning film *Anora*, found herself captivated by Sorkin’s screenplay. She expressed a strong desire to participate in the project, describing the story as immensely significant. “I fell in love with Sorkin’s script,” she stated, recounting how she immediately communicated her eagerness to join the film to the director.
Interestingly, despite portraying Haugen, Madison did not meet her until after filming had concluded. During an earlier interview, she acknowledged not having any face-to-face interaction with the whistleblower yet and mentioned having only exchanged emails with her. “I haven’t met her in person,” Madison said, adding that she was looking forward to a future meeting.
Sorkin, renowned for his sharp dialogue and complex characters, was supportive of the actors’ desire to stay true to the screenplay. Madison noted that while Sorkin offered to introduce them, her priority was to create a character based on her interpretation of the screenplay rather than on a direct representation of the real Haugen. “I just wanted to utilise my imagination,” Madison explained.
*The Social Reckoning* acts as a companion piece to Sorkin’s earlier film, *The Social Network*, which focused on the founding of Facebook. The new film stars Jeremy Strong as Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and features Jeremy Allen White as journalist Jeff Horwitz, who was instrumental in collaborating with Haugen to disclose the social media giant’s inner workings.
Haugen’s departure from Facebook in 2021 marked a significant moment, as she provided thousands of leaked documents to The Wall Street Journal and lawmakers. These documents revealed that the company prioritised engagement and profitability at the potential risk to user safety. Haugen’s revelations sparked widespread debate over the role of social media in society, making her story even more poignant for the current climate.
In addition to the film, Haugen published a memoir titled *The Power of One: How I Found the Strength to Tell the Truth and Why I Blew the Whistle on Facebook*, which, along with the reporting done by Horwitz, shaped the screenplay’s direction. Haugen expressed her appreciation for Madison’s interest in her story, stating how flattering it was to have an esteemed actor portray her. “I’m very, very happy [with] how the movie turned out,” she remarked.
The two finally met in person during the New York City premiere of *The Social Reckoning* on October 4, marking a significant milestone for both. Madison shared her excitement, saying, “I think we’ll have a lot to talk about, and also I just want to share my admiration for her in person.”
With its compelling narrative and strong performances, *The Social Reckoning* sheds light on the critical issues facing social media today, reflecting not only Haugen’s personal journey but also the broader implications of technology in our lives. The film is currently showing in theatres, inviting audiences to engage with the powerful story of truth-telling in the digital age.