There’s a new trend in non-fiction films I like to call “Internet Bad” movies, where filmmakers exaggerate internet dangers like a modern “Reefer Madness.” Many of these films oversimplify complex issues and end up saying very little. “The Antisocial Network: Memes to Mayhem” suffers from this to some extent as it covers the impact of 4chan, but it’s more engaging than others in the genre thanks to the skilled direction of Giorgio Angelini and Arthur Jones.
Initially, 4chan started innocently as a community for people with shared interests. “The Antisocial Network” reveals how it followed a path to toxicity, influenced by Japan’s 2chan. The film nostalgically depicts 4chan’s early days and its figurehead, “moot” (Christopher Poole). It’s intriguing to see the group’s evolution, from offline meetings to fracturing as some sought to make real-world impacts through pranks, leading to movements like Anonymous and QAnon. The documentary warns of the dangers of escalating trolling behavior and its real-world consequences.
“The Antisocial Network” hesitates to blame individuals, suggesting that the unchecked power of platforms like 4chan inevitably leads to corruption. However, this reluctance to assign personal responsibility can be frustrating, as individuals still make choices. While 4chan may not solely be responsible for societal divides, it certainly contributes by amplifying harmful narratives like PizzaGate. Anonymous has shed light on important issues, but the proliferation of conspiracy theories and clickbait has muddled truth, leading many to believe in falsehoods like QAnon.
“The Antisocial Network” effectively exposes the nonsense of the past decade, revealing how individuals manipulated national anxieties for amusement. The film’s fast-paced editing, while sometimes overwhelming, reflects its attempt to cover various aspects of 4chan’s history and global influence. It’s ironic that in an age of extended series, this true story is compressed into a feature-length format, which may make some aspects feel superficial.
“The Antisocial Network” falls within the “Internet Bad” documentary category, yet stands out for its adept exploration of how things went awry in the first place.
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Genre Definition | “Internet Bad” documentaries exaggerate internet dangers, akin to “Reefer Madness” films. |
| “The Antisocial Network: Memes to Mayhem” | Covers 4chan’s impact, better than most in the genre due to skilled direction. |
| 4chan’s Evolution | Started innocently but evolved toxically, influenced by Japan’s 2chan. |
| Individuals and Responsibility | Film hesitates to blame individuals, highlighting the platform’s corrupting power. |
| Impact on Society | Contributes to societal divides by amplifying harmful narratives like PizzaGate. |
| Documentary’s Presentation | Engaging yet slightly overwhelmed by fast-paced editing, attempting to cover various aspects. |
| Conclusion | Falls within the “Internet Bad” category but excels in exploring 4chan’s evolution. |
