The Social Network 2010

In October 2003, at Harvard University, student Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) finds inspiration to create a website rating female undergraduates’ attractiveness after his breakup with his girlfriend Erica Albright (notably portrayed by Rooney Mara). This messy split occurs during a disastrous date at a local bar, where Mark’s ego shines through his abrasive demeanor. Motivated by the events of the evening, he drunkenly hacks the databases of several residence halls to compile a collection of female students’ photos and names. Using an algorithm for ranking chess players provided by his close friend Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield), he swiftly creates FaceMash.com, a site where male students can vote on who they find more attractive between two girls presented at a time.

This reckless act results in Mark facing six months of academic probation, as the surge in traffic overwhelms Harvard’s computer network. Ill-famed among many female students due to his website, he ironically gains notoriety. However, this newfound fame catches the attention of Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss (played by Armie Hammer and Josh Pence)—identical twins on the university’s rowing team. Together with their business partner Divya Narendra (portrayed by Max Minghella), they hire Mark to work on their project, Harvard Connection.

Shortly thereafter, Mark shares his vision of an exclusive online social networking website dubbed Thefacebook with Eduardo. He explains that it will empower users to share personal data securely within the Harvard community. Eduardo, intrigued, invests $1,000 to get the project off the ground. Upon launching, it quickly gains traction among students, initially fueled by promoting it within Eduardo’s social circle at the Phoenix S-K final club. Yet, the Winklevoss twins and Divya believe Mark has pilfered their idea, igniting tensions as they consider legal action for intellectual property theft.

Months pass, and returns during a lecture given by Bill Gates (guest-starring Steve Sires) unveil two new characters: Christy Lee (played by Brenda Song) and her companion Alice (portrayed by Melise). The girls make a striking impression on both Mark and Eduardo, leading to a spontaneous night out. Notably, the burgeoning success of Thefacebook prompts Mark to consider expansion beyond Harvard. After a chance encounter with Erica, who remains unaware of the social platform, he decides to broaden its reach.

By spring 2004, Thefacebook blossoms, spreading to other Northeastern universities, much to the dismay of the Winklevoss twins, who now feel left behind. In an effort to seek resolution and reclaim what they believe is rightfully theirs, they reach out to Harvard President Larry Summers (specially portrayed by Douglas Urbanski), only to be met with indifference towards their legal aspirations.

With Christy now dating Eduardo, they meet with Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake), the co-founder of Napster. Mark admires Parker’s vision for Facebook, contrasting with Eduardo’s skepticism regarding Parker’s troubled past. Though no agreements are made, Parker recommends they simplify the name from Thefacebook to simply Facebook.

One summer later, Mark relocates to Palo Alto, California, aligning the company’s operations with Parker’s insights, while Eduardo remains back in New York seeking advertising. However, tensions rise when Eduardo discovers Parker has begun to influence key decisions, prompting him to freeze the company’s bank account in a moment of anger. The fallout escalates, especially when Eduardo confronts Christy over her accusations of infidelity tied to his Facebook profile.

As the Winklevoss twins begin legal proceedings against Mark for their perceived theft, Eduardo realizes the terms of his agreement with Parker dilute his stake in the company dramatically. Furious, he confronts Mark in their new L.A. office, asserting his intent to file suit.

The story takes a darker turn when Parker and several interns are arrested for drug possession at a party meant to celebrate Facebook reaching one million members. It’s heavily implied that Mark orchestrated this incident to remove Parker and his colleagues from the company.

In the film’s closing moments, Mark learns from a junior lawyer that they intend to settle with Eduardo, given the unflattering portrayal of Facebook’s troubled genesis. The narrative wraps as Mark sends a friend request to Erica, left waiting in despair for a response that never comes.

In concluding texts, we learn that the Winklevoss twins agreed to a $65 million settlement and eventually achieved Olympic aspirations. Moreover, Eduardo secures an undisclosed settlement and reclaiming his title as Facebook’s Co-Founder. As a testament to its monumental success, Facebook now boasts 500 million users across 207 countries, solidifying Mark Zuckerberg as the world’s youngest self-made billionaire.