The Social Network Analysis: How David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin Craft a Perfect Fall Arc

In the world of filmmaking, storytelling is an art form that has been perfected over thousands of years. Yet, despite the countless tales that have been spun, there are really only four ways to end a story. Today, we’re diving deep into one of these endings as we explore the Oscar-winning script by Aaron Sorkin and the masterful direction of David Fincher in their 2010 film, “The Social Network.”

Introduction: The Bittersweet Ending

“The Social Network” is a prime example of what screenwriting experts call a “bittersweet ending.” It’s a narrative where the protagonist achieves their external goal (their “want”) but fails to fulfill their internal need, often at great personal cost. In this case, we’ll be dissecting Mark Zuckerberg’s path of destruction as he builds the world’s largest social network while destroying the very relationships he sought to cultivate.

Mark’s Want and the “Lie” He Believes

To understand Mark’s journey, we need to grasp two key elements: his “want” and the “lie” he believes. In her book on character arcs, K.M. Weiland explains that every protagonist harbors a deeply held misconception about themselves or the world. This misconception is the “lie” that often drives the character’s external want.

When we first meet Mark Zuckerberg in the film, he’s a brilliant but deeply insecure 19-year-old. His insecurity is evident in his first conversation with his girlfriend, Erica Albright:

“I’m just saying I need to do something substantial in order to get the attention of the clubs. Because they’re exclusive. And fun and they lead to a better life.”

Mark’s want is clear: to gain the attention of Harvard’s elite final clubs. But underlying this want is the lie he believes: that exclusivity and social status will bring him personal fulfillment and happiness. This lie, born from his insecurity, sets him on a destructive path.

The Truth Mark Needs to Learn

For every lie a character believes, there’s a corresponding truth they need to learn. This truth defines the character’s internal need. In Mark’s case, the truth is brutally delivered by Erica when she breaks up with him:

“Look, you are probably going to be a very successful computer person. But you’re going to go through life thinking that girls don’t like you because you’re a nerd. And I want you to know, from the bottom of my heart, that that won’t be true. It’ll be because you’re an a**hole.”

Mark’s need is to recognize that his own insecure and selfish behavior, not his nerd status, is preventing him from finding happiness and true connection. But will he embrace this truth or cling to his lie?

The “Fall Arc” Explained

In a “negative change arc” or what Weiland calls a “Fall Arc,” the protagonist rejects every chance to embrace the truth. Instead, they fall deeper into their own sins, often dragging others down with them. Mark’s fall begins immediately after his breakup with Erica. In a revenge-fueled coding spree, he creates “Facemash,” a site that compares the attractiveness of female students. This not only victimizes the women but also attracts the attention of the very elites Mark was hoping to impress: the Winklevoss twins and Divya Narendra.

Mark Establishes a New Want

When the Winklevoss twins and Divya approach Mark to code their social networking site, Harvard Connection, Mark sees an opportunity. But instead of just helping them, he decides to create his own site, TheFacebook. His want evolves from impressing the final clubs to creating the most exclusive and prestigious social network:

“I’m talking about taking the entire social experience of college and putting it online. It would be exclusive. Wardo, it’s like a final club except we’re the president.”

This decision marks the beginning of Mark’s betrayal of those around him, starting with the Winklevoss twins and Divya, who accuse him of stealing their idea.

The Midpoint and “Lie-Based Actions”

In a negative change arc, the story’s midpoint is a pivotal moment. It’s when the character has a clear revelation that launches them into a series of “lie-based actions.” For Mark, this revelation comes in the form of Sean Parker, the co-founder of Napster:

“You guys don’t have anything in front of you. A million dollars isn’t cool. You know what’s cool? A billion dollars.”

Sean embodies the very lie Mark believes: that success and exclusivity equal happiness. Encouraged by Sean, Mark moves the company to California without his co-founder and friend, Eduardo Saverin. This decision highlights a critical aspect of negative arcs: the protagonist devalues something good they already have (in this case, Mark’s friendship with Eduardo) in pursuit of the lie.

The “Lie” Replaces the “Truth”

As Sean’s influence grows, he essentially replaces Eduardo in Mark’s life. The lie (Sean) has replaced the truth (Eduardo). This leads to the most tragic moment in the film: Mark’s betrayal of Eduardo. In a series of meetings and legal maneuvers, Mark dilutes Eduardo’s shares in Facebook down to a mere 0.03%, effectively pushing him out of the company he co-founded.

Mark’s Want vs. Need: Want Achieved, Need Unfulfilled

By the film’s end, Mark has achieved his want. Facebook is a global phenomenon, and he’s the world’s youngest billionaire. But in his relentless pursuit of this goal, he’s destroyed his ability to obtain what he truly needs: meaningful relationships and self-acceptance.

The film’s final scene poignantly drives this home. As Mark sits alone in a conference room after a day of depositions, his lawyer, Marilyn, tells him:

“You’re not an a**hole, Mark. You’re just trying so hard to be.”

We watch as Mark, perhaps for the first time, realizes the truth of her words. In a final, hopeful gesture, he sends a friend request to Erica on Facebook. But we leave him solemnly waiting for a response that might never come.

The Great Irony and the Power of a Bittersweet Ending

The great irony of “The Social Network” is that Mark created a platform for connecting people but failed to become a person who could make any meaningful connections of his own. This bittersweet ending, crafted masterfully by Sorkin and Fincher, is what makes the film so powerful.

Negative change arcs like this can be highly effective, especially when you have a protagonist who refuses to change and leaves a trail of victims in their wake. It challenges the audience’s expectations and leaves them with a lingering sense of what could have been, had the protagonist only recognized their true need.

Conclusion: The Art of Endings in Storytelling

“The Social Network” teaches us that in crafting an ending, we must consider both the external wants and internal needs of our characters. Understanding the four basic types of endings – and in this case, the bittersweet ending – can help ensure that your story reaches its most satisfying conclusion.

As we’ve seen with Mark Zuckerberg’s journey, sometimes the most compelling stories are those where the hero doesn’t quite save the day, where success comes at a great personal cost. It’s a reminder that in life, as in great storytelling, true fulfillment often lies not in what we achieve, but in who we become along the way.

So the next time you’re writing a story or watching a film, pay close attention to the ending. Is it happy? Sad? Ambiguous? Or bittersweet, like “The Social Network”? Understanding these nuances can deepen your appreciation for the art of storytelling and maybe, just maybe, help you craft your own unforgettable tale.