Social media is a ubiquitous part of everyday life, for better or worse. It wasn’t always that way–Those who grew up before the rise of social media in the early 2000s didn’t enjoy the constant connectivity we have today. There’s a lot to love about social media and its influence on modern society. It allows us to stay connected and communicate with others around the world. However, the impact of social media is not black and white.
Filmmakers have used social media as a tool in modern storytelling, and many compelling movies explore its effect on the masses. From grim tales depicting the darker side of social media to films that highlight its benefits, let’s look at some movies that showcase how social media platforms have changed the world.
1. “Eighth Grade” (2018)
“Eighth Grade” tackles life as a pre-teen, navigating the complexities of peer pressure and the sometimes ugly effects social media has on the psyche. The movie comes to us from Bo Burnham, the stand-up comic/musician who often dives into complex subject matter in his shows. Burnham wrote and directed this movie after starting his entire career on YouTube, so he has a unique perspective that few others have.
The movie follows an introverted young girl who attempts to use social media to gain attention from her peers, molding herself into someone she’s not.
2. “The Social Network” (2010)
Facebook is the largest social media platform in the world, boasting over three billion active monthly users. “Social Network” is a retelling of the platform’s controversial beginnings, showing founder Mark Zuckerberg reflecting on the past during a legal deposition. There’s much to take away from this film, but its central themes revolve around greed and how it’s permeated the world of social media from the very beginning.
3. “Unfriended” (2014)
If you’re looking for scares, “Unfriended” offers a unique take on the found-footage horror subgenre. This movie is unique because the story unfolds entirely through a computer screen. A group of teens having a group video chat experience extreme horrors as a vengeful spirit holds them responsible for truly heinous acts on social media.
The movie shows how dark things can get when unflattering videos and stories go viral, depicting the unfortunately real effects those moments can have on people.
4. “Not Okay” (2022)
“Not Okay” is a captivating movie that emphasizes the dangers of doing anything to be relevant on social media. In a world where people where follower counts like a badge of honor, the craziness that happens in this movie feels way too real.
In the movie, a young woman with no real social life fakes a trip to Paris that she believes will capture attention on social media. But when a disaster strikes Paris during that time, she’s caught in a lie and must navigate the fallout.
5. “Searching” (2018)
Here’s a movie that shows how useful social media can be while highlighting how much others can unravel about your life through what you post on the Internet. The film stars John Cho, who turns to social media and the Internet to find clues about what happened to his missing daughter. Like “Unfriended,” the movie occurs almost entirely on computer and smartphone screens.
The story is a captivating thriller and shows how powerful your digital footprint can be. The film was a success, spawning a standalone sequel in 2023 called “Missing.”
6. “Catfish” (2010)
The term “Catfish” is a normal part of the modern lexicon, and most say this documentary is why. “Catfish” is a film that chronicles a real-world occurrence that happens to millions. In it, the film’s subject, Nev, develops a relationship with someone he believes is a young woman. However, in reality, this person is a middle-aged woman who fabricated an entire fake identity.
The movie captivated audiences upon release, leading to the long-running “Catfish: The TV Show” (2012-present).
7. “The Circle” (2017)
“The Circle” stars Emma Watson as a woman who lands a job at a famous tech company. However, she realizes that the company’s true nature threatens to upend society as we know it. While the movie didn’t receive the best reviews from audiences and critics, its emphasis on social media, data collection and ethics regarding data privacy are more relevant than ever. It also has a star-studded cast, including Tom Hanks, Jon Boyega and more.
8. “Nerve” (2016)
Social media trends can bring people together, but real-world “challenges” have also led to countless deaths, injuries and other undesirable ramifications. “Nerve” shows how extreme challenges can ruin lives.
The movie is about a fictional platform that acts as a massive game of truth or dare. The game has life-ruining effects on players and depicts how quickly some can fall into the darker side of social media.
9. “Love Hard” (2021)
Not all social media tales end up in doom and gloom! This rom-com has a more lighthearted approach to catfishing. It emphasizes that not everyone you meet on the Internet is who they say they are, but this one has a happier tone than others on this list.
A woman meets a seemingly perfect man on a dating app and decides to surprise him for the holidays. However, she quickly realizes the man she is crazy about is a fabrication.
10. “Megan Is Missing” (2011)
If you plan to watch “Megan Is Missing,” buckle up for a truly dark and twisted tale. This movie came out many years ago, but ironically, it’s recently gone viral on social media. It’s a grim tale about a girl who goes missing after meeting a “boy” she meets on the Internet. This boy is actually a deranged killer, and the movie shows her best friend launching an investigation to find her.
Warning: This movie leaves little to the imagination. It’s graphic and horrifying. The filmmakers based the film on real abduction cases, using it as a cautionary tale about what can happen when you trust strangers you meet on the Internet.
11. “Chef” (2014)
“Chef” is a feel-good movie about a chef who quits his job to operate a food truck. The story doesn’t revolve around social media entirely. However, it plays a vital role in the chef’s journey. You see how social media can shape the success of small businesses and the impact online critique can have.
It’s a great story about balancing the good and bad of social media, using it to your advantage to grow while also being cautious of its nastier side. It depicts how transformative a good relationship with social media can be.
12. “Cyberbully” (2011)
This made-for-TV movie depicts the all-to-real effects of cyberbullying. The main character’s life gets turned upside down when she becomes a victim of rumors spread about her online. This movie came out when social media was still growing in popularity.
While many assume that Internet rumors can’t impact your real life, “Cyberbully” shows how false that sentiment is. It tackles the mental health effects of cyberbullying and how seemingly innocent activity can take a turn for the worse.
13. “Ingrid Goes West” (2017)
“Ingrid Goes West” is a cautionary tale with a comedic twist. It’s about a girl who meets a popular influencer on social media. She becomes obsessed with her, digging deep to discover every detail she can. She then moves to L.A. to infiltrate her life, only to find that her life isn’t what her idol shows to her audience in real life.
The film highlights how easy it is to track someone’s location based on what they post on social media, but it also examines the fake world that influencers often build up to gain attention.
14. “Don’t Look Up” (2021)
This satire pokes fun at how disinformation runs rampant online–an unfortunate reality in today’s world. The story is about two astronomers who discover a comet that will impact Earth and end the world. They try to warn everyone, but their efforts become a media frenzy that no one takes seriously until it’s too late.
It’s a satirical look at the current political landscape in the United States and how social media and traditional media ignore facts to create a twisted new reality.
15. “Mainstream” (2020)
“Mainstream” is another film about the world of influencers and how many craft perfectly curated personalities far from their true selves. Social influencers are prevalent today; many use multiple platforms to reach audiences. While there is some good there, this movie shows how difficult it can be for some of the world’s biggest Internet stars to maintain their identities.
The film stars Andrew Garfield, and it is one of his most rage-inducing roles. He plays a character that’s developed an online personality many have seen on social media.
Social Media: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
There’s no denying that social media and its grip on the modern world is complicated! Staying connected has opened doors for millions, breaking down barriers and helping people forge meaningful relationships. However, there’s also a darker side. These films are a great way to explore complex stories where social media affects characters in ways that most don’t realize are possible. While no single movie can tell the whole tale, these 15 films can shed light on social media’s ever-changing impact on the world.
