The Antisocial Network

Synopsis

In this fictionalized attempt to expose the memes associated with the GameStop stocks that shook Wall Street in 2021, Adam Mason directed The Antisocial Network, a film that takes a stand on retail investors. To further strengthen his case, Adam uses the infamous forum “WallStreetBets” which serves as a rallying point for a bunch of misfits, gamers and investors alike, to take on powerful hedge funds. The saviors of the people on r/wallstreetbets are regular people.

The core of the story revolves around three interesting characters; Keith, an ordinary gamer residing in a small town who wishes to pursue financial independence, Liz, a single digital nomad tired of the monetary systems and marriage, and Doug, an obnoxious hedge fund manager who employs his “bet against stocks” strategy for years. All of this changes when the stock of GameStop, a company that appeared to have long lost its allure, surged drastically.

One of the main ideas of the movement is that the people can stand up against the powerful troves of institutionalized greed. However, as the movements gain more attention from the media, the pressure mounts and alliances then begin to splinter, egos get into conflict, and the following question arises: is this movement for justice or is it yet another form of anarchy?

Cast & Crew

Keith: A professional gamer who becomes an unintentional revolutionary after purchasing stock in GameStop.

Liz: Cynical financial specialist transforming into an accuser. Caught between the sense of duty to her workplace and the wish to unmask Wall Street’s double talk.

Doug: A callous hedge cole manager whose empire collapses with the out−of−hand short selling exceeding a billion dollars.

The movie is directed by Adam Mason who is widely known for his storytelling style which has a lot of depth and intensity.

Themes and Analysis

Rebellion vs. Greed:

The film demonstrates the negative effects of social justice movements in which investors pour out money trying to defeat the very system they are against. While the retail investors may have had honourable motivations, the end to ‘winning’ only served to strengthen the greater desire further blurring the lines between justice and greed.

The relegation network shows the ant social community effect in depth. To most ordinary individuals, who may not have appropriate reasons, big waves are able to be stirred up simply online.

Control delusion

The collapse of Wall Street is a dark comedy, for sure. The hedge fund manager Doug is a fitting image of the audacity of the narrative that anyone would be capable of managing an uncontrollable beast. Such personal pride is matched by the chaos of the market system as is only to be expected.

Technological effects.

Meme culture and the popularity of apps such as Robinhood and the free flow of information fall within this strategy. The film casts aspersions on trading apps that inhibit rather than encourage free investing, claiming to do so for a small fee, but typically do so by winning the investors’ losses.

Visual Presentation Plus Filmmaking

In cinematography, the film portrays a more dynamic monotony comparable to the dependably chaotic realm of social media as well as of the Stock Market. Rapid cuts in between Reddit discussions, news clips and episodes along with Trading Screens creates a disorienting but immersive atmosphere. The transitions between the offices which appear sterile and cold and the retail investor’s homes which feel cluttered and warm help display the difference between the “Modern Day Main Street” and the “Wall Street”.

Analysis of Reviews

In terms of movie reviews, The Antisocial Network has been warmly received due to its bold narrative and satirical twist. Characters were enhanced thanks to the performances, in particular Keith’s zeal and Doug’s fractured mind. Nonetheless, the film’s depiction of internet memes do, to some critics, slightly undermine the complications of the financial system, which unfortunately makes the internet memes appear in a more simplistic and two-dimensional way.

Analysis of Viewers

Rightfully, the younger audience garnered a devout following as they enabled the sharpness of the humor and its deconstruction of the biases of the Stock Market. Despite this, some audiences believed that the ending was a blunt depiction of retail investors, portraying them akin to ‘heroes’ yet failing to consider the severe amount of debt a few of the participants had incurred.

Real Life Events On Comparison Basis

The movie is only slightly different from the actual GameStop drama as the movie uses the dramatics of certain characters and events. For instance, Keith is assigned an emotional backstory which is fictitious about his father’s business to make him have a purpose behind his goals.

Conclusion

The Antisocial Network is a film which brilliantly portrays the 21st century most astonishing economic phenomenon, alongside its thrilling tale, stunning acting and sharp political and social concerns. With the likes of meme, things have become erratic where an individual can are able to amass huge amounts within a blink of an eye. Although the film is not devoid of glitches, terror and moral decay combined with money and rebellion makes this film an engaging experience.

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