In 2021, small time investors, connecting via Reddit and viewing YouTube videos by fellow investor Keith Gill, started to buy shares in struggling video game retailer GameStop. As a result, the stock price rose, their small investments soared in value which caused huge losses for hedge fund managers who had been shorting the stock, betting it would keep falling. That story was documented in the book The Antisocial Network by Ben Mezrich which has now been turned into a film directed by Craig Gillespie and written by Lauren Schuker Blum and Rebecca Angelo.
It is evident early on that Gillespie not only was inspired by The Big Short for the subject matter, but also for the film’s style. With the plethora of characters, time shifts and blaring rap music drowning out dialogue, there is a chaotic approach in the early stages. I felt a bit disorientated and unengaged in a way that I never did with Adam McKay’s movie. However, things soon settle down and Gillespie allows the fascinating story to breathe.
The calmer approach enabled me to appreciate the performances. Paul Dano is great as Keith and Seth Rogan is pretty convincing as the Wall Street hedge fund manager Gabe Plotkin who is most at danger of being ruined. America Ferrera is once again impressive as a nurse gambling her meagre savings but, in what is an incredible year for her, Shailene Woodley is brilliant as Keith’s supportive wife, Caroline.
The share prices rise, fall, and rise again as the Wall Street traders employ some dubious, possibly illegal, tactics to stop people buying the shares. That provides a satisfying level of jeopardy as the story reaches its conclusion.
If you stay with it beyond the early stages, this is both entertaining and informative.
Rating: 7.5 out of 10