The Social Dilemma

Part documentary, part dramatized portrait, the film assembles testimonies from former tech insiders who helped shape today’s platforms. It uses interview segments interwoven with stylized vignettes to visualize how social networks grab attention and subtly steer opinions. The speakers describe algorithms, notifications, and data-tracking mechanisms that encourage addictive use, while questions of privacy and power rise to the surface. Graphic illustrations and real-world examples ground these claims in current online life. The result is a stark, thought provoking look at a networked world where daily choices are influenced by unseen code and an endless feed, inviting viewers to rethink their relationship with screens. It foregrounds voices from Tristan Harris and Sandy Parakilas, insiders who flag systemic risks in online life.

Directed by Jeff Orlowski, the film blends interviews with former tech insiders and research. Produced by Davis Coombe and Vickie Curtis, it weaves testimony with driven evidence. It premiered on Netflix in 2020 as a documentary drama about social platforms.

There are no traditional box office figures because the film debuted on Netflix, not in theaters; earnings are reported as streaming viewership rather than a film’s box office tally, reflecting a shift toward digital distribution and audience metrics and analytics.

The film sparked ongoing conversations about data privacy, platform accountability, and the economics of attention. Its stark demonstrations and personal testimonies helped normalize debates on social media ethics, influencing educators, policymakers, and everyday viewers to scrutinize their digital lives. It also sparked classroom discussions and spurred calls for algorithmic transparency.

Critics generally welcomed its clear, urgent take on how online platforms shape belief and behavior, though a few noted it leans toward alarmism and leaves some questions unanswered. Overall the film helped shape mainstream conversations about digital responsibility and corporate transparency. Its impact reached classrooms, debates, and media literacy programs.