The best tech start-up stories to watch right now
From retellings of the Theranos and Uber stories to older films focused on Apple and Facebook
Words: Jonathan Wells
Truth is stranger than fiction – and the truth about technology is even stranger than that. Some of the stories behind our most cutting-edge, state-of-the-art innovations are beyond far-fetched, and – almost inevitably – they make for ripe, fertile ground for dramatic films and television.
In past years, we’ve seen an influx of projects, with producers taking the tales of Theranos, Uber and WeWork and developing, updating and dramatising them for peak entertainment. Rather notably, there’s a limited series in development at HBO about the rise of Facebook, titled Doomsday Machine and starring Claire Foy as COO Sheryl Sandberg.
In the meantime, there are plenty of tech start-up dramas already out there to sink your smartphones into. Here are some of our favourites…
The Dropout
What’s it about? The ambitious, incredible – and ultimately criminal – enterprises of Elizabeth Holmes, who dropped out of Stanford University to create Theranos, a health-tech company that she alleged would revolutionise blood testing.
Who’s in it? Amanda Seyfried takes on the main role, in a performance that has been described as ‘disquieting’. But the real strength comes from the support, with actors including Stephen Fry and William H. Macy putting in riveting turns.
Why’s it worth watching? If you have followed the story – and listened to the podcast – it’s a nice companion piece. If you don’t know the story, then buckle up. It’s a maddening, ludicrous, shout-at-the-television ride.
Super Pumped: The Battle For Uber
What’s it about? The first of a proposed anthology series focusing on wild business stories (the second season will zero in on Facebook and go head-to-head with HBO’s upcoming drama). This inaugural instalment is subtitled The Battle For Uber, and tells the twisty tale of the ride-sharing app.
Who’s in it? The endlessly likeable Joseph Gordon-Levitt takes on the less-than-likeable role of Travis Kalanick, with Kyle Chandler playing Bill Gurley, one of Silicon Valley’s top dealmakers. But the most intriguing piece of casting? Quentin Tarantino, who was brought on board to narrate the series.
Why’s it worth watching? For Gordon-Levitt’s gripping, overly shouty central performance. Expect exclamations of greed, backstabbing and wince-inducing nonsense like: “WE ARE IN THE WORLD-CHANGING BUSINESS!”
WeCrashed
What’s it about? Not necessarily a tech start-up. However, when Adam Neumann co-founded flexible workspace company WeWork, it initially targeted tech personnel as clients. And anyway, this series focuses less on the business, and more on Neumann’s delicate professional/personal relationship with his wife.
Who’s in it? Jared Leto, once again, reinvents himself, this time to play Neumann, with long locks and dark contact lenses. His wife, Rebekah Neumann, is played with brio by Anne Hathaway.
Why’s it worth watching? For the narcissism. There’s a little dramatic license here – but nowhere near as much as you’d expect. As you take in all the excess, the greed and the opulence, mouth undoubtedly agape, know this: more than you’ll want to believe is true.
The Social Network
What’s it about? Unlike the first three entries on this list, The Social Network is not that recent. You’ve likely seen the Aaron Sorkin-penned, David Fincher-directed film; a Shakespearean retelling of the early days of Facebook.
Who’s in it? Famously, Jesse Eisenberg, in a career-making role. But the support here is equally strong, with Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake and Max Minghella all helping to actually imbue a film about social media with interest and enthralling drama.
Why’s it worth watching? Because it’s a tale for our time. Mark Zuckerberg was the youngest billionaire in the world when The Social Network was released in 2010 – and it’s worthwhile to see how one of your most-used apps was coded to life.
Steve Jobs
What’s it about? Following the success of The Social Network, screenwriter Aaron Sorkin was chosen to tackle the life and times of another tech titan: Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. And, while criticised for historical inaccuracies, the Danny Boyle-directed film pulls off the same magic trick as The Social Network by managing to make tech dealings truly dramatic.
Who’s in it? Michael Fassbender landed the plum role of Jobs, after actors including George Clooney, Christian Bale and Leonardo DiCaprio were all allegedly considered. Seth Rogen plays Steve Wozniak, and Kate Winslet plays marketing executive Joanna Hoffman.
Why’s it worth watching? Because, unlike a normal biopic, this one plays out in three acts, a trio of potted sequences that scrub through the life of Jobs, skipping to the behind-the-scenes moments of his three biggest launches: the Macintosh 128K, the NeXT Computer and the iMac G3.
The Gamechangers
What’s it about? The rise and rise of the Grand Theft Auto video games. The feature-length docudrama revolves around the legal feud between Rockstar Games – the company behind it all – and the Florida attorney who tried to link real-life criminal activity with GTA’s glamorisation of violence.
Who’s in it? Would you believe Daniel Radcliffe? Under a baseball cap and beard, the Harry Potter star plays Rockstar Games president Sam Houser opposite Bill Paxton, who took on the role of attorney Jack Thompson.
Why’s it worth watching? Because it’s directed by Owen Harris, who went on to direct three of the best episodes of Black Mirror – ‘Be Right Back’, ‘San Junipero’ and the similarly video-game-centric ‘Striking Vipers’.
Want more recommendations? Here’s what to watch on Netflix in November…
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