The Social Dilemma
The technology that connects us also controls us.
2020 | 94m | English
Popularity: 5 (history)
| Director: | Jeff Orlowski |
|---|---|
| Writer: | Vickie Curtis, Davis Coombe, Jeff Orlowski |
| Staring: |
| This documentary-drama hybrid explores the dangerous human impact of social networking, with tech experts sounding the alarm on their own creations. | |
| Release Date: | Jan 26, 2020 |
|---|---|
| Director: | Jeff Orlowski |
| Writer: | Vickie Curtis, Davis Coombe, Jeff Orlowski |
| Genres: | Drama, Documentary |
| Keywords | artificial intelligence (a.i.), technology, silicon valley, high tech surveillance, internet, surveillance, big corporation, media manipulation, social network, teen suicide, low self esteem, social media, internet culture, commercialism, internet addiction, social isolation, self-harm, advertising campaign, advertising model, late stage capitalism, machine learning, media addiction, algorithm, societal collapse, smartphone |
| Production Companies | Exposure Labs, Argent Pictures, The Space Program |
| Box Office |
Revenue: $0
Budget: $0 |
| Updates |
Updated: Oct 14, 2025 Entered: Apr 13, 2024 |
| Name | Job |
|---|---|
| Travis LaSalle | First Assistant Director |
| Chase Penny | Stunt Coordinator |
| Laura Jean Bransky | Script Supervisor |
| Megaera Stephens | First Assistant Camera |
| Vickie Curtis | Writer |
| Davis Coombe | Writer, Editor |
| Jenny Jue | Casting |
| Dave Wruck | Assistant Editor |
| Micah Steele | Second Assistant Director |
| Stephanie Stanziano | Unit Production Manager |
| Kevin Andrews | Steadicam Operator |
| John Behrens | Director of Photography |
| Adam Wheatley | Production Design |
| Tessa Malsam | Assistant Editor |
| Sarah Keo | Production Coordinator |
| Corey Crandall | Second Assistant Director |
| Ralph Herscu | Property Master |
| Jonathan Pope | Director of Photography |
| Taylor Jean | Set Decoration |
| Jeff Orlowski | Writer, Director |
| Mark A. Crawford | Original Music Composer |
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Daniel Wright | Co-Producer |
| David J. Cornfield | Executive Producer |
| Bruce Heavin | Executive Producer |
| Shannon O'Leary Joy | Co-Executive Producer |
| Larissa Rhodes | Producer |
| Lynda Weinman | Executive Producer |
| Micheline Klagsbrun | Co-Executive Producer |
| Heather Reisman | Executive Producer |
| Natalie Orfalea | Co-Executive Producer |
| David Stone | Co-Executive Producer |
| Ken Grossinger | Co-Executive Producer |
| Laurie Lennard | Executive Producer |
| Linda A. Cornfield | Executive Producer |
| Hallee Adelman | Executive Producer |
| Lou Buglioli | Co-Executive Producer |
| Stacey Piculell | Co-Producer |
| Ivy Herman | Executive Producer |
| Ben Renzo | Executive Producer |
| Jill Ahrens | Executive Producer |
| Ryan Ahrens | Executive Producer |
| David Boies III | Co-Executive Producer |
| Organization | Category | Person |
|---|
Popularity History
| Year | Month | Avg | Max | Min |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 24 | 29 | 19 |
| 2024 | 5 | 24 | 33 | 17 |
| 2024 | 6 | 23 | 30 | 16 |
| 2024 | 7 | 27 | 44 | 20 |
| 2024 | 8 | 20 | 30 | 14 |
| 2024 | 9 | 18 | 23 | 15 |
| 2024 | 10 | 25 | 42 | 14 |
| 2024 | 11 | 26 | 48 | 16 |
| 2024 | 12 | 21 | 39 | 13 |
| 2025 | 1 | 20 | 26 | 14 |
| 2025 | 2 | 18 | 27 | 4 |
| 2025 | 3 | 7 | 22 | 1 |
| 2025 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 2 |
| 2025 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 3 |
| 2025 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 2 |
| 2025 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| 2025 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| 2025 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 3 |
| 2025 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 4 |
Trending Position
| Year | Month | High | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | 379 | 476 |
| Year | Month | High | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 967 | 967 |
| Year | Month | High | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 752 | 771 |
This documentary thinks it's real cute. You may learn a thing or two, but a lot of the time it feels manipulative and self-righteous. I wish that, instead of portraying the mechanisms of ad-targeting as some kind of sci-fi super villain, they would have shown what truly goes on in the offices of ... google, facebook, and the like. The evils of manipulating human attention do not need to be sensationalized to look like something out of Tron or Blade Runner. Why not film the actual computer screens that are spitting back data about users of these platforms? Perhaps internet giants would not let cameras behind the scenes. Anyhow, this film has a noble goal but comes across as more dime-a-dozen infotainment that Netflix has pumped out many times before. Maybe if it did not treat its viewers as though they were brain dead I would have enjoyed it more. Show it to your tik tok friends who could lose a staring contest with a squirrel, as that is likely who this documentary is targeted for.
The Social Dilemma is a powerful documentary that explores how social media algorithms subtly manipulate user behavior, creating addiction and influencing mental health. Through expert interviews, dramatized simulations, and engaging visuals, it reveals the ethical dilemmas behind profit-driven plat ... forms that often overlook their societal impact. With a balanced and accessible approach, the film encourages viewers to critically reassess their digital habits and understand the hidden forces shaping their online experiences. Read the full review here: (Indonesian version : alunauwie.com)