It’s been over six years since we were introduced to one of the world’s most influential social network websites. Facebook, created by Harvard graduate Mark Zuckerberg, has evolved and changed over the years and now has over 500 million active users. But why does the website hold so much influence?

The king of the social networks has changed the way individuals interact with each other, and we can see that the term ‘Facebook’ is thrown around frequently in everyday conversations around the world.

It is safe to say that Zuckerberg went through many struggles along his journey to entrepreneurial success. The story of how he got to this point and what he went through is a rather compelling tale. We’ve heard story after story about court cases in which Zuckerberg’s best friend accused him of stealing the concept, compounded by complex lawsuits.  With Zuckerberg now worth billions of dollars, the media and the public wanted to be informed about what was happening in the cases.

Riding on the wave of intrigue that has followed the story of Zuckerberg and his influential website, Columbia Pictures is releasing a hotly-tipped film called The Social Network to show the tumultuous beginnings of the Facebook empire.

This film has been described as one that tells a story of greed, unpredictability and obsession. Dustin Moskovitz, who helped to develop the networking site, has said the film is a "dramatisation of history" and that it has been "interesting to see [his] past rewritten in a way that emphasises things that didn't matter".

David Fincher brought this vision to life by serving as the film’s director, and judging by his previous award-winning work for films such as The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Fight Club and Se7en, audiences can expect an expertly-crafted production.

This film is an adaptation of Ben Mezrich’s book, The Accidental Billionaires, with Aaron Sorkin adapting the novel to the big screen.

In terms of casting, we see several breakout roles from newcomers and some by unexpected performers, all tied together with a power house of a performance brought on by Jesse Eisenberg.

Jesse Eisenberg plays the role of Mark Zuckerberg as he comes up with the idea of Facebook, facing the highs and lows that came in its wake. Some of his previous credits include leading roles in the critically acclaimed dramatic indie flick The Squid and the Whale, as well as his more comedic and ironic performances in Adventureland and Zombieland.

Another performance that has been generating buzz in this film is Justin Timberlake’s take on the role of Napster brainchild and former president of Facebook Inc, Sean Parker. Timberlake is mostly known for his career in the music industry, having won six Grammy awards across two solo albums which received critical acclaim. Timberlake is not exactly new to the silver screen, though. Some of the most notable roles include those in Alpha Dog and his work on Shrek the Third and Shrek Forever After.

Other actors that help to make up the ensemble cast include Andrew Garfield, Brenda Song, Max Minghella, Roonie Mara and Armie Hammer.

While the film tells the story of one specific site, it’s safe to say that social media and social networking has become a hugely popular and influential aspect of the modern times in which we live.

The film has been receiving much attention since casting began in 2009 and now that it is complete, it will reach theatres across the UK in October.  

It’s interesting to note how Facebook was first used as a service for college and university level students in the US. Now, it has grown to become a network in which anyone and everyone can come together to join in on the fun.

Since the inception of Facebook in 2004, many other similar websites have sprung up including Twitter and Bebo, both of which possess over 100 million active users.

Social networking sites allow us to keep in touch with old friends and family members, as well as to connect to new individuals on a personal or professional level. Here, we can share our photos, tell the world what we are doing each day, reveal our passions and further, have the chance to read what our friends are getting up to.

Aside from using these media outlets for personal use, many businesses and prominent figures are now taking advantage of these powerful social networking websites to keep in touch with the masses. Here, consumers on the Web may follow the stories of their favourite organisations, businesses, politicians and celebrities. Each time they log in and check their personalised news feed, they will be given access to all of these updates in one convenient place.

Through social media services, we can find a sense of community online. So, even if you no longer live in the same place as your friends and family members, you still have the opportunity to see what they are up to each day, as well as being able to communicate with them via messages or instant messaging. No longer will you feel like you are missing out.

Additionally, new community-based websites are springing up each and every day for more specialised interest groups. For instance, if you happen to be an avid chess player, the chances are that you will find a community in which others who share the same love of the game also come together.

Overall, if you’re one of the 500 million people who use Facebook, or even if you’re more partial to using other social networking services, you’ll find that this film reflects upon a very interesting story that is deeply relevant to the time in which we live. As a result, it's likely to become a must-see. Plus, with David Fincher’s directorial talents, it’s sure to be worth the ticket price.