The Social Network, directed by David Fincher, is a biographical drama that tells the story of the founding of Facebook and the subsequent legal battles that ensued. The film stars Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg, a Harvard student who creates a social networking site that quickly becomes a global phenomenon. The film explores the rise of Facebook, as well as the conflicts that arise between Zuckerberg and his co-founder, Eduardo Saverin and President Sean Parker.
The Social Network‘s success not only earned it several Academy Awards, including Best Original Score and Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay, but it also launched the careers of its young cast members. Many of the film’s stars have gone on to become major Hollywood stars. Additionally, The Social Network marked a turning point in Hollywood’s focus on technology and corporate culture, paving the way for films like The Wolf of Wall Street and Steve Jobs. So, let’s dive into the cast of this iconic movie and see where they are now.
Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg
The Social Network was a career-launching role for Jesse Eisenberg that saw him land an Oscar nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Eisenberg delivered a nuanced performance as the tech genius, delving into his many strong points as well as his flaws. Executing Aaron Sorkin‘s unique dialogue with ease, Eisenberg brought a sense of awkwardness to the character while still managing to be captivating with his fast-paced rambles.
After the success of the movie, he went on to star in acclaimed movies like Adventureland, Zombieland and Now You See Me. He has often shined playing awkward characters, however, he has branched out into more darker roles in movies like The Double, Manodrome and as the legendary villain Lex Luthor in Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. Outside of acting, Eisenberg has also took a journey behind the camera, with 2024 bringing forth A Real Pain, in which he writes, directs, and stars opposite Kieran Culkin.
Andrew Garfield as Eduardo Saverin
Born in California but raised in the UK, Andrew Garfield is another star that found massive stardom after starring in The Social Network. In the movie, Garfield took on the role of Eduardo Saverin, a co-founder of Facebook. As Saverin, Garfield gave a multifaceted performance as the man who was once best friends with Zuckerberg before battling him court and later coming to a settlement. Before starring in the film, Garfield had already established himself as a formidable thespian in England, starring in the Red Riding Trilogy, episodes of popular TV shows like Doctor Who, and the acclaimed drama film, Boy A.
After The Social Network, Garfield continued climbing, garnering an Oscar nomination for his leading role in Hacksaw Ridge in 2017, and another in 2022 for his tour de force rendition in tick, tick… BOOM! His next role will see him share the screen with rising star Florence Pugh in the romantic drama, We Live in There. The movie is described as a decade-spanning love story.
Justin Timberlake as Sean Parker
Justin Timberlake is a musical sensation who defied the odds and proved himself as a talented actor as well. Before starring in The Social Network, Timberlake had already impressed critics and moviegoers starring alongside Bruce Willis in the gritty crime drama, Alpha Dog. Then, between 2008 and 2011, he hit pause on his music career to fully dedicate himself to acting. To that, his role in The Social Network showcased how hard he had been working.
In the movie, Timberlake starred as Sean Parker, the founder of Napster who made the majority of his wealth from his brief period of time as the President of Facebook. Timberlake brought an electric energy to the role, playing the boisterous entrepreneur who often lands himself in trouble. Although he returned to music shortly after, he has still stayed active in Hollywood. He went on to land the lead role in the sci-fi action thriller In Time, and the touching drama movie, Palmer. In 2024, he made headlines when he was arrested for a DWI in The Hamptons, with his mugshot quickly becoming the source of many memes. His next acting role will see him take on the lead role of iconic gameshow creator Chuck Barris in a currently untitled TV drama.
Rooney Mara as Erica Albright
Rooney Mara starred as Erica Albright in The Social Network. Although she was a fictional character, she served as a backdrop to the movie’s main plot. The first frame of the film serves as a pace-setter for the entire movie, as Mara and Eisenberg engage in frenetic dialogue that feels urgent and suspenseful. The next year, Mara re-teamed with David Fincher for the acclaimed thriller, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, a performance that saw her nominated for her first Oscar. She was then nominated again in 2016 for her supporting role in Carol. She is next set to share the screen with Joaquin Phoenix in Lynne Ramsay‘s (You Were Never Really Here) horror movie, Polaris. The film is set in Alaska during the 1890s, and focuses on an ice photographer who comes face-to-face with the devil.
Dakota Johnson as Amelia Ritter
Today, Dakota Johnson is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. In 2010, The Social Network served as her second ever role as an actress. Although her role in the film is short, it was a pivotal moment in the movie. In the scene, her character Amelia Ritter sleeps with Sean Parker before introducing him to Facebook the next morning. Since her role in the film, she has starred in popular films like The Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy, and The Lost Daughter. In 2024, she took on the titular role in Madame Web, however, the anticipated movie was met with a string of negative reviews. Her next role will pair her with Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans in the romance movie, Materialists.
Armie Hammer as Cameron Winklevoss / Tyler Winklevoss
Armie Hammer played the dual role of the Winklevoss twins, Cameron and Tyler, in The Social Network. The twins, Harvard students and rowing team champions, are portrayed as charismatic and athletic, but also entitled and vengeful. Hammer’s portrayal of the twins is notable for its nuanced complexity, capturing the subtle differences between the two brothers while also conveying their shared sense of entitlement and anger. Hammer hasn’t appeared on screen since the 2022 movie Death on the Nile, due to allegations of sexual abuse. Furthermore, a string of messages emerged in 2021 suggesting he has a cannibalism fetish. According to The Huffington Post, it is rumoured that Hammer has transitioned to selling timeshares in the Cayman Islands.
Rashida Jones as Marylin Delpy
Rashida Jones had a small but memorable role in The Social Network as Marylin Delpy, a junior lawyer for the defense who makes subtle attempts to humanise the tech billionaire Mark Zuckerberg. Outside of this role, Jones is most known for her time on the hit show Parks and Recreation, where she played Ann Perkins for a total of 100 episodes. She has also had roles in movies like I Love You, Man, Celeste & Jesse Forever, and the acclaimed TV series Portlandia. In 2024, she leads the cast of Sunny, a comedy series that focuses on Suzie (Jones), an American woman living in Japan who forms a bond with a domestic robot made by her husband’s company. Want to catch up with the cast of another iconic movie? Here’s where the cast of Stand By Me are now.
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