Missing (2023) Movie Review

“Missing” is the latest installment in what appears to be a growing Searching Cinematic Universe, although it’s not a direct sequel to the 2018 hit “Searching.” Instead, it takes a different perspective, following a daughter who is looking for her mother using the same narrative structure as the previous film. The movie begins with a montage that includes a brief reference to the mystery in “Searching,” setting the tone for a tense and exciting thriller.

While “Searching” explored the idea of a father searching for his daughter using screens such as laptops, cell phones, and surveillance footage, “Missing” takes a similar approach but with a daughter looking for her mother. However, the novelty that made “Searching” so thrilling is missing in this installment. The premise of “Searching” was relatable and unnerving, and John Cho’s performance was exceptional. He played the role of a desperate father seeking clues to his daughter’s whereabouts, and his face was in close-up nearly the entire time, exposing every glimmer of hope and fear with great nuance.

The writing/directing team of Nick Johnson and Will Merrick, along with the original “Searching” team of Aneesh Chaganty and Sev Ohanian, collaborated to create “Missing.” The movie employs the same narrative structure as “Searching,” and while it manages to pull off the impressive highwire act, it includes a few too many twists, causing it to lose some of its realism. However, the film is more fast-paced, and the character who takes the lead, 18-year-old high school senior June, is an expert in using technology. She has grown up in a world surrounded by it, unlike the middle-aged father in “Searching.”

June, played by Storm Reid, is a master at multitasking and using technology to her advantage. She spends her days switching between tabs and typing away on her keyboard. She often leaves her camera on, giving viewers a peek inside her room and her interactions with people in real life. Reid portrays June as smart and sassy, making her a likable and engaging character.

However, things take a turn when June's widowed mother, Grace (Nia Long), takes off on vacation to Colombia with her new boyfriend, Kevin (Ken Leung), and fails to show up at LAX as scheduled. June's instincts and years of experience online come into play as she struggles to communicate with the hotel front desk clerk in Cartagena, who speaks only Spanish. June realizes that she can navigate the city remotely using Google Maps and the help of a Taskrabbit-style errand runner for hire named Javi (Joaquim de Almeida), who adds warmth and humor to the suspenseful scenario.

With each new password she cracks, website she visits, and email she reads, June raises more questions than answers. The film constantly keeps viewers guessing about what is happening, and Johnson and Merrick have something to say about the morbid fascination with tragedy that people have. As Grace's disappearance becomes national news, podcasters and TikTokers analyze every detail of the case, forming ill-founded opinions and spreading conspiracy theories for their own fame and gain. It's both amusing and dismaying, highlighting the dangers of social media and the impact it can have on real-life situations.

One significant difference between “Missing” and “Searching” is the use of Ring security video. This technology was not as prevalent when the first film came out, and the directors use it effectively to create tension, leaving viewers wanting more.

Despite its reliance on technology, "Missing" also manages to tap into something more primal and emotional. The heart of the film is the relationship between June and her mother Grace, which is beautifully portrayed by Storm Reid and Nia Long. As June delves deeper into her mother's life online, she begins to uncover secrets and surprises that challenge her understanding of who her mother really is. This leads to some powerful moments of revelation and reconciliation that are genuinely moving.

One of the strengths of "Missing" is its ability to balance the suspenseful mystery plot with the emotional depth of its characters. While the first half of the film is focused mainly on the search for Grace, the second half delves deeper into the relationships between the characters and the ways in which technology has affected those relationships. There are some poignant scenes between June and Javi, who becomes a kind of surrogate father figure to her as they work together to solve the mystery. There are also some interesting explorations of the ways in which social media and online communication can both bring us closer together and drive us further apart.

Overall, "Missing" may not be quite as fresh and innovative as "Searching," but it's still a well-crafted and suspenseful thriller with plenty of heart. It manages to avoid the pitfalls of many sequels by staying true to the spirit of the original while still offering enough new twists and turns to keep things interesting. The performances are strong across the board, with Storm Reid and Nia Long delivering particularly standout work. And while the film is certainly a cautionary tale about the dangers of technology and the importance of staying connected to the people we love, it's also a celebration of the ways in which technology can help us solve problems and connect with others in meaningful ways. Whether you're a fan of the original film or just looking for a smart, engaging thriller, "Missing" is definitely worth checking out.