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.Missing F. (2023) is an American thriller directed by Will Merrick and Nick Johnson, which serves as a standalone sequel to ÎSearching f (2018), a film that set a trend for its innovative use of device screens as a narrative tool. This new installment takes up that visual style, moving us back to the digital world, where every click, message and video can be key to solving a mystery. Missing not only did it maintain the suspense that characterized its predecessor, but it also expanded it with new twists, characters, and a fresh story centered on a daughter trying to find her missing mother.
Synopsis
The story revolves around June Allen, an 18-year-old teenager who lives in Los Angeles. His mother, Grace, is about to embark on a trip to Colombia with her new boyfriend, Kevin, while June plans to enjoy her time alone at home. However, days after the trip, June goes to the airport to pick up her mother, but she never shows up.
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Worried, June tries to contact Kevin and the Colombian authorities, but bureaucracy and distance become obstacles. So he decides to investigate on his own. Using technological tools such as emails, security cameras, social media, and geolocation, June begins a desperate search to discover her mother's whereabouts. However, the more she digs, the more dark secrets come to light, revealing that her mother is not who June thought she was, and that there are many more layers behind this disappearance.
What begins as a simple search turns into a race against time with unexpected twists, where the truth is much more complex than June ever imagined.
Cast
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The distribution of Missing it is made up of talented actors who manage to convey tension, emotion and authenticity through screens, not an easy task:
- Storm Reid like June Allen: The protagonist of the film. Reid gives a standout performance as a determined but emotionally overwhelmed young woman due to her mother's disappearance.
- Nia Long like Grace Allen: June's mother. Her character is key to the plot and is surrounded by mysteries that are gradually revealed.
- Ken Leung like Kevin Lin: Grace's boyfriend, whose disappearance with her arouses suspicion.
- Joaquim de Almeida like Javier: A freelance worker who helps June from Colombia, bringing a human and comic touch to the story.
- Amy Landecker like Heather Damore: Grace's friend and mysterious figure in the plot.
- Daniel Henney like Agent Elijah Park: An FBI agent involved in the case.
Criticisms
.Missing F. it was generally well received by critics, who praised its narrative structure, its pacing, and the way it maintained suspense through digital format. Despite being limited to screens, the film manages to create an immersive, tense and emotional experience.
Among the points most highlighted by critics:
- Narrative innovation: Although it is not the first film to use the “formatsharedscreen” (screenlife), Missing it shows that this technique still has a lot of potential. The film uses multiple devices and platforms (FaceTime, Google, Gmail, security cameras, social networks, etc.) in a realistic and coherent way.
- Storm Reid performance: His performance was considered the heart of the film. It conveys anguish, determination and vulnerability without seeming forced.
- Giños to digital culture: Missing it is full of references to the daily use of technology and social networks, which generates empathy with young audiences, without falling into exaggerations.
However, some critics also pointed out that certain plot twists are a bit forced or not very credible. Furthermore, it was mentioned that towards the end, the film leans more towards sensational drama, losing part of the subtlety it maintained at the beginning.
Public Reception
The public responded very positively to Missing. On platforms such as Rotten Tomatoes, the film achieved a score of over 80% in both professional critics and audiences. On IMDb, it maintains a solid rating, reflecting good overall acceptance.
One of the reasons for its success was the way the film managed to connect with a generation accustomed to living online. Many viewers commented that they identified with the way June surfs the web to find answers: tracking locations, searching for emails, cracking passwords, and analyzing social media posts are familiar behaviors for much of today's audience.
Additionally, the central mystery, along with multiple plot twists, kept viewers constantly intrigued. Social media also played a key role in the film's positive spread, with many people recommending it as an “film that will keep you glued to the screen”.
Technical and Visual Aspects
One of the greatest achievements of Missing it is its technical section. The film was completely filmed to appear to take place in real time across screens, something that requires meticulous planning and precise editing.
Direction and Editing
- Will Merrick and Nick Johnson, who previously worked as editors at Searching, they debut as directors in this film. His knowledge of format was key to achieving a film that flows naturally despite its unconventional structure.
- Editing is one of the highlights. Every cursor movement, every notification, every window change is carefully choreographed to maintain rhythm and visual coherence.
Photography and Design
- Although there is no traditional photography in the classical sense, the design of the interfaces, video calls and browser simulation are done in an impressive level of detail.
- Colors and transitions between apps help guide the viewer's attention without the need for conventional camera cuts.
Sound
- Sound plays a fundamental role, with notifications, vibrations, clicks and tones that accompany the story and generate tension. Music is used sparingly, allowing silence to also have dramatic weight.
Conclusion
.Missing F. (2023) is a film that demonstrates how cinema can adapt and evolve in the digital age. With a modern narrative, a charismatic protagonist and bold direction, this film manages to keep us in suspense for almost two hours, using only the screens as a setting.
Although it is not perfect and can fall into some clichés of the mystery genre, its virtues far outweigh its defects. The film is a reflection on how technology can be both a connecting tool and a barrier, and how, in skilled hands, it can be transformed into a powerful narrative medium.
For fans of suspense, technological thrillers or simply those looking for a different and engaging story, Missing it is a highly recommended experience. More than a spiritual sequel to Searching, is a self-sustaining work that demonstrates that, in the era of hyperconnectivity, every track is just a click away.
