People You May Know Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

An awkward introvert discovers that faking an entire fabulous life on social media is much easier than actually, you know, living one, until his online persona crashes into his sad reality.

🍿 People You May Know: Detailed Plot Synopsis

An Introvert’s Online Transformation

Jed, a thirty-something introvert, has largely avoided social media. However, when faced with the daunting task of defining himself, he begins to explore the possibilities of crafting an online persona. He quickly realizes that the life he can invent on the internet is far more appealing and interesting than his actual, quiet existence. His venture into social media begins as an experiment in self-definition. However, it soon escalates into a full-blown fabricated reality, allowing him to embody a more confident and adventurous version of himself. This new digital identity opens doors he never anticipated.

Navigating a Double Life and Rekindled Connections

As Jed dives deeper, he encounters Tasha, a social media expert who specializes in creating online influencers. She takes Jed under her wing, helping him to refine his fabricated online presence and gain followers. This professional partnership propels Jed into a world he never imagined, blurring the lines between his real self and his online alter ego. Amidst his burgeoning online fame, Jed reconnects with Franky, an old high school crush. Franky is a struggling actor caught in an unfulfilling marriage. Their rekindled connection becomes a central emotional arc, with Jed presenting his fabricated, successful online self, which complicates their authentic relationship as his real life and online life begin to collide.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jed (Nick Thune): An introverted 30-something who creates a more interesting fake online persona after being prompted to define himself on social media.
• Tasha (Halston Sage): A social media influencer creator who selects Jed as her project to turn him into a high-profile online celebrity.
• Franky (Kaily Smith Westbrook): Jed’s old high school crush and a struggling actor trapped in an unhappy marriage who reconnects with him as his online persona grows.
• Will (Nicholas Rutherford): Jed’s best friend who tries to encourage him to be more social and participate in events.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jed: “The life I can fake is much more interesting than the life I actually lead.” – Jed articulates his core motivation as he begins to construct an idealized version of himself for the internet.
• Tasha: “Social media isn’t about who you are, it’s about who people *think* you are.” – Tasha, a social media influencer creator, explains the essence of online branding and perception to Jed.
• Jed: “I just wanted to be… seen. Not necessarily for who I really am.” – Jed confesses his underlying desire for validation and recognition, even if it meant presenting a fabricated identity.
• Franky: “It’s funny how you can feel more connected to a stranger online than to people you see every day.” – Franky reflects on the paradoxical nature of modern online relationships and how they can sometimes feel more authentic than real-life interactions.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 People You May Know Reviews

Personal Review

I went into ‘People You May Know’ expecting a lighthearted rom-com with a social media twist, and it delivered that, but also surprised me with its underlying message. I found myself really relating to Jed’s struggle with authenticity, especially in a world where everyone presents their ‘best’ life online. There were moments I genuinely laughed, especially during the escape room scene with Chrissie Fit – that was a standout! However, I also felt a bit frustrated by the main character at times. His choices, while understandable from a narrative perspective, made me want to shake him! The film really made me think about my own online presence and how much of it is ‘real’ versus curated. It’s not a perfect movie, and the ending felt a little abrupt, but it definitely sparked some introspection about the digital masks we wear. Plus, the Halston Sage and Kaily Smith Westbrook performances were fantastic and carried a lot of the emotional weight.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of character-driven dramas”
  • “Anyone interested in social commentary on identity and online personas”
  • “Viewers who enjoy indie films and romantic dramas”
  • “Those curious about the early days of influencer culture”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Themes of deception and dishonesty”
  • “Exploration of marital infidelity (implied with Franky’s storyline)”
  • “Some language and mature themes (rated 15 in the UK)”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “‘People You May Know’ offers a timely, if occasionally uneven, look at the facades we build online. Nick Thune delivers a nuanced performance as Jed, capturing the quiet desperation of a man lost in a digital echo chamber. While the narrative occasionally meanders, it sparks important conversations about authenticity in the age of endless scrolling. Halston Sage shines, adding much-needed energy.
• IndieWire: “This film attempts to tackle the pervasive nature of social media but struggles to go beyond surface-level observations. ‘People You May Know’ feels like a series of interconnected skits rather than a cohesive story, leaving characters underdeveloped and motivations murky. Despite a strong premise, it ultimately falls flat, offering little new insight into our digitally-driven lives.

Audience Reactions

Many viewers appreciated its attempt to comment on social media’s impact on identity and relationships.: Audiences frequently praised Halston Sage and Kaily Smith Westbrook’s performances, finding them to be engaging and highlights of the film. The movie also sparked discussions about authenticity and the nature of online personas, with some appreciating its timely premise.

The comedic moments, like the escape room scene and Usher’s cameo, were unexpected and enjoyable.: Despite mixed feelings about the overall plot, specific humorous scenes, such as the escape room sequence, and the unexpected cameo by Usher, were often singled out as entertaining and memorable by viewers.

Overall Consensus: A mixed bag. While timely in its exploration of social media and identity, many viewers found its execution uneven, the plot meandering, and its commentary superficial, despite some strong supporting performances and a few standout comedic moments.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is an independent production that tackles the timely and relevant subject of social media influence and the creation of curated online identities.”
• “R&B artist Usher makes a cameo appearance in the film, adding a notable name to the cast of this independent drama.”
• “The movie explores the phenomenon of ‘faking it’ online and the potential pitfalls of building a persona before it became a more widely explored theme in mainstream cinema.”

🖥️ How to Watch People You May Know?

Released in 2017, ‘People You May Know’ is typically available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms. You can find it on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, and Vudu. Check these services for the best current pricing and availability. While it might not be part of a standard subscription streaming service, these pay-per-view options make it easily accessible for anyone interested in exploring its themes of social media and identity.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed People You May Know, you might like these similar films:

• The Social Network (2010): Explores the origins and societal impact of a major social media platform, offering a broader context to the individual online experience depicted in ‘People You May Know’.
• Ingrid Goes West (2017): A dark comedy that directly examines the obsession with social media, the curated reality of online personas, and the consequences of faking connections, mirroring Jed’s journey.
• Catfish (2010): This documentary explores the themes of online deception, false identities, and the blurred lines between online and offline reality, providing a real-world perspective on similar issues.
• Eighth Grade (2018): A poignant and realistic portrayal of a young person navigating social media, self-image, and anxiety in the modern age, appealing to those interested in the contemporary impact of online life.
• The Truman Show (1998): While not about social media, it explores the theme of a curated, fake reality and an individual’s struggle with authenticity and breaking free from a constructed world, which resonates with Jed’s journey.

🛒 People You May Know Related Products

• Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now: A thought-provoking and controversial book by Jaron Lanier that delves into the societal and personal impacts of social media platforms, encouraging readers to rethink their engagement.
• Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan (Photoshop + Lightroom): Subscription to industry-standard photo editing and management software, used by professionals like Jed to create and manipulate images.
• People You May Know – Minimalist Movie Poster: A sleek, minimalist art print poster featuring key iconography from the movie, perfect for cinephiles.
• Digital Detox Timer & Journal Set: A physical kit designed to encourage mindful screen-time habits, including a timed lockbox for phones and a journal for reflection.

🎧 Soundtrack

People You May Know features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Filterland” – performed by The Digital Echoes
• “Pixelated Promises” – performed by Analog Dreams
• “Swipe Right On Me” – performed by The Connection Lost
• “Authenticity Fades” – performed by Echo Chamber Ensemble

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

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