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“Missing” (2023) is an American thriller film directed by Will Merrick and Nick Johnson, which serves as a standalone sequel to “Searching” (2018), a film that set a trend for its innovative use of device screens as a narrative tool. This new installment revisits that visual style, transporting us back to the digital world, where every click, message, and video can be key to solving a mystery. Missing not only maintained the suspense that characterized its predecessor, but 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 living in Los Angeles. Her 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 she decides to investigate on her own. Using technological tools such as email, 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 to this disappearance.
What begins as a simple search turns into a race against time with unexpected twists and turns, where the truth is far more complex than June ever imagined.
Cast
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The cast of Missing It is composed of talented actors who manage to convey tension, emotion and authenticity through screens, a task that is not easy:
- Storm Reid as June Allen: The film's protagonist. Reid gives a standout performance as a determined but emotionally overwhelmed young woman following her mother's disappearance.
- Nia Long as Grace AllenJune's mother. Her character is key to the plot and is surrounded by mysteries that are gradually revealed.
- Ken Leung as Kevin Lin: Grace's boyfriend, whose disappearance with her raises suspicions.
- Joaquim de Almeida as Xavier: A freelancer who helps June from Colombia, adding a human and comic touch to the story.
- Amy Landecker as Heather Damore: Grace's friend and mysterious figure in the plot.
- Daniel Henney as Agent Elijah Park: An FBI agent who gets involved in the case.
Reviews
“Missing” It was generally well received by critics, who praised its narrative structure, pacing, and the way it maintained suspense through the digital format. Despite being limited to screens, the film manages to create an immersive, tense, and emotional experience.
Among the points highlighted by critics:
- Narrative innovation: Although it is not the first film to use the “shared screen” (screenlife) format, Missing It demonstrates that this technique still has great potential. The film uses multiple devices and platforms (FaceTime, Google, Gmail, security cameras, social media, etc.) in a realistic and coherent manner.
- Storm Reid's performanceHer performance was considered the heart of the film. She conveys anguish, determination, and vulnerability without seeming forced.
- Nods to digital culture: Missing It is full of references to the everyday use of technology and social media, which generates empathy with young audiences, without falling into exaggeration.
However, some critics also pointed out that certain plot twists seemed a bit forced or unbelievable. It was also mentioned that toward the end, the film leans more toward sensationalist drama, losing some of the subtlety it maintained at the beginning.
Public Reception
The public responded very positively to MissingOn platforms like Rotten Tomatoes, the film achieved a score above 80% from both professional critics and audiences. On IMDb, it maintains a solid rating, reflecting overall positive acceptance.
One of the reasons for its success was the way the film connected with a generation accustomed to living online. Many viewers commented that they related to the way June navigates the web to find answers: tracking locations, searching emails, cracking passwords, and analyzing social media posts are familiar behaviors for much of today's audience.
Furthermore, the central mystery, along with the multiple plot twists, kept viewers constantly intrigued. Social media also played a key role in the film's positive outreach, with many people recommending it as a "movie that will keep you glued to the screen."
Technical and Visual Aspects
One of the greatest achievements of Missing It's its technical side. The film was entirely shot to appear to be happening in real time on screens, something that requires meticulous planning and precise editing.
Direction and Editing
- Will Merrick and Nick Johnson, who previously worked as editors at Searching, make their directorial debut with this film. Their familiarity with the 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 consistency.
Photography and Design
- Although there's no traditional photography in the classic sense, the interface design, video calls, and browser simulation are all done with an impressive level of detail.
- Colors and transitions between applications 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 carry dramatic weight.
Conclusion
“Missing” (2023) is a film that demonstrates how cinema can adapt and evolve in the digital age. With a modern narrative, a charismatic lead, and bold direction, this film manages to keep us on the edge of our seats for nearly two hours, using only the screen as a backdrop.
While it's not perfect and may fall into some mystery genre clichés, its virtues far outweigh its flaws. The film is a reflection on how technology can be both a tool of connection 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 captivating story, Missing It is a highly recommended experience. More than a spiritual sequel to Searching, is a work that stands on its own and demonstrates that, in the age of hyperconnectivity, every clue is just a click away.
