Films about social media explore the impact of social networking platforms on individual lives, society, and culture. These stories can range from the personal effects of social media addiction to its broader implications on privacy, communication, authenticity, and mental health. They may include thrillers, dramas, documentaries, and satires, reflecting diverse perspectives on an ever-evolving digital landscape. Here is a list of some films that delve into the subject of social media:
“Catfish”, 2010
Director: Henry Joost, Ariel Schulman
This documentary, which has also spawned a TV series, follows the story of a young man developing a romantic relationship with a woman on Facebook, which leads to unexpected revelations. The film is a commentary on identity and deception in the online environment.
Starring: Nev Schulman, Ariel Schulman, Henry Joost, Angela Wesselman-Pierce, Medody C. Roscher, Wendy Whelan, Craig Hall, Tiler Peck, Drew Jacoby, Rubi Pronk;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: documentary, drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 94 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Catfish” on the website imdb.com
“Ingrid Goes West”, 2017
Director: Matt Spicer
A dark comedy about a young woman named Ingrid who becomes obsessed with a social media influencer and moves to Los Angeles to try to befriend her in real life. The film is a critique of the illusion of connection and the influence of social media on personal identity.
Starring: Aubrey Plaza, Elizabeth Olsen, O'Shea Jackson Jr., Wyatt Russell, Billy Magnussen, Pom Klementieff, Hannah Pearl Utt, Joseph Breen, Angelica Amor, Meredith Hagner;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 98 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,6;
More information about the film “Ingrid Goes West” on the website imdb.com
“Nerve”, 2016
Director: Henry Joost, Ariel Schulman
This thriller portrays an online dare game, which escalates and exploits the participants' desire for fame and adrenaline. The film touches on themes of privacy, voyeurism, and the consequences of peer pressure amplified by social media.
Starring: Emma Roberts, Dave Franco, Emily Meade, Miles Heizer, Juliette Lewis, Kimiko Glenn, Marc John Jefferies, Machine Gun Kelly, Brian Marc, Ed Squires;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: action, thriller, drama, crime, adventure;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 96 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,5;
More information about the film “Nerve” on the website imdb.com
“Unfriended”, 2015
Director:
A horror film that unfolds entirely on a computer screen, involving a group of friends who are haunted by a mysterious figure seeking revenge for a shaming video that led to a tragic suicide. It examines the darker side of online bullying and the permanence of digital footprints.
Starring: Shelley Hennig, Moses Storm, Renee Olstead, Will Peltz, Jacob Wysocki, Courtney Halverson, Heather Sossaman, Matthew Bohrer, Mickey River, Cal Barnes;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: horror, thriller, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 82 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,6;
More information about the film “Unfriended” on the website imdb.com
“Eighth Grade”, 2018
Director: Bo Burnham
Directed by Bo Burnham, this coming-of-age film follows a teenager navigating her final week of middle school while struggling with anxiety exacerbated by her social media presence and online persona.
Starring: Elsie Fisher, Josh Hamilton, Emily Robinson, Jake Ryan, Daniel Zolghadri, Fred Hechinger, Imani Lewis, Luke Prael, Catherine Oliviere, Nora Mullins;
Production year: 2018;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 93 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Eighth Grade” on the website imdb.com
“The Circle”, 2017
Director: James Ponsoldt
A dramatic thriller about a young woman employed by a powerful tech company that pushes the boundaries of privacy and ethics with its social media platforms. The film raises questions about surveillance, data ownership, and the right to personal space in the digital age.
Starring: Emma Watson, Ellar Coltrane, Glenne Headly, Bill Paxton, Karen Gillan, Tom Hanks, Beck, Nate Corddry, Mamoudou Athie, Roger Joseph Manning Jr.;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: science fiction, thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,4;
“Searching”, 2018
Director: Aneesh Chaganty
Another thriller presented from the perspective of computer screens and smartphones, the film follows a father trying to find his missing daughter through clues left behind on her laptop and social media, offering insights into digital footprints and online relationships.
Starring: John Cho, Sara Sohn, Alex Jayne Go, Megan Liu, Kya Dawn Lau, Michelle La, Joseph Lee, Dominic Hoffman, Melissa Disney;
Production year: 2018;
Genre: detective, thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 102 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “Searching” on the website imdb.com
“Mainstream”, 2020
Director: Gia Coppola
Directed by Gia Coppola, this film tells the story of a young woman who becomes involved with an enigmatic stranger and helps him rise to fame as a viral internet sensation.
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Maya Hawke, Nat Wolff, Jason Schwartzman, Johnny Knoxville, Alexa Demie, Colleen Camp, Kalena Yiaueki, Jaqueline De La Fontaine, Nick Darmstaedter;
Production year: 2020;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 94 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5;
“Disconnect”, 2012
Director: Henry Alex Rubin
An ensemble drama that interweaves multiple storylines, each exploring the consequences of modern communication and the lack of real connections between people due to the reliance on technology and social media.
Starring: Jason Bateman, Hope Davis, Frank Grillo, Michael Nyqvist, Paula Patton, Andrea Riseborough, Alexander Skarsgård, Max Thieriot, Colin Ford, Jonah Bobo;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 115 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Disconnect” on the website imdb.com
These films reflect the various narratives that filmmakers have created in response to the pervasive role of social media in our lives and its growing influence on the fabric of modern society.
In conclusion, films about social media provide a crucial lens through which modern audiences can reflect upon and understand the pervasive effects of digital platforms on their lives. Cinematic explorations ranging from the obsessive nature of online celebrity in “Ingrid Goes West,” the disturbing consequences of privacy invasion in “The Circle,” to the intense psychological impact of virtual lives in “Eighth Grade,” illustrate the multifaceted relationship—both empowering and destructive—between individuals and social media. These films not only entertain but also provoke thought and dialogue about our collective digital experience, acting as cultural touchstones that both mirror and critique the zeitgeist. As technology continues to advance and our entanglement with social media deepens, these stories stand as important commentaries on the evolving human condition—a condition increasingly influenced by the flickering screens that hold sway over our perceptions, relationships, and sense of self.
