Movies that play out entirely on the screen of a laptop, a phone, or any other modern device, aren't necessarily novel at this point, having been utilized to great effect in both horror and mystery genres (Unfriended and Searching, respectively). However, the unique effect these screen thrillers have on their story can't be understated. The technique is once again used in Missing, the sort-of sequel to Searching, to mixed but mostly good results.
The connective tissue between Searching and Missing goes beyond some references to the latter (including a pretty fun fake-out opening scene). The story comes from Searching writer Sev Ohanian, with the editors of that film, Will Merrick and Nick Johnson, taking over screenplay and directing duties. Like its predecessor, Missing tells a mostly tight mystery story with plenty of twists and turns, even if it does falter somewhat in its final act.
As opposed to Searching, this time around the parent and child roles are reversed, with 18-year-old June (Storm Reid) desperately searching for her mother, Grace (Nia Long), who goes missing after embarking on a trip to Colombia with new boyfriend Kevin (Ken Leung). Within the opening act, the relationship between mother and daughter is firmly established through phone and text conversations, as well as some early revelations about June's father. Long and Reid play these moments well, selling the mutual exasperation of a parent and kid who don't quite see eye to eye. There isn't much beyond their strained relationship, with the movie choosing to focus more on its plot mechanics than the events that caused their relationship to break down.
What Missing lacks in its character development it more than makes up for in its expediency of plot. If there's one thing the movie doesn't do, it's drag out things in the story. Once the mystery is initiated through a missed pick-up at LAX, June's investigation plays out with remarkable speed. The benefit of Missing's structure is making the types of on-screen investigatory tactics (not unlike those seen on MTV's Catfish) gripping rather than sterile. Something as simple as a notification or a pop-up menu can be a crucial piece of the puzzle, and can heighten the tension in an instant.
These choices can probably be attributed to the fact that two editors have taken charge of the story. Merrick and Johnson clearly know where to trim the fat and how to speed things along, sometimes to a fault. It wouldn't hurt in some scenes to let an emotional moment land a little bit harder or to linger on something sinister just a bit longer in order to really sell it. Still, it's hard to fault Missing too much in an age when movies just keep getting longer and have even less to say.
While cinematography may not be one of the first elements that come to mind with a screen thriller, there is a mindfulness to how each shot of June's desktop is structured, with sticky notes, browser windows, and text conversations littering the screen and offering up small, easy-to-miss context about the story. Where the style falls flat is more in its recreations of life outside the screen. News coverage and press conferences have a decidedly cheap and artificial look to them, but that shortcoming thankfully doesn't extend too much into the 'real life' shots of characters in their homes or out in public.
As for the mystery at the center of Missing, it is as intricate as it is intriguing. There are even more rug pulls, red herrings, and deceptive twists than would be in the average whodunnit. Some of these moments feel more earned than others, but the pieces of the puzzle fit together nicely, with no lingering questions or visible plot holes. Reid does an excellent job at selling the tech-savvy knowledge that someone from Gen Z would possess, figuring out along the way how to solve certain problems that don't appear to have an easy solution.
One of said solutions is hiring a Task Rabbit (or in this case, Go Ninja) worker named Javier (Joaquim de Almeida) to carry out the legwork all the way in Colombia. Javier and June's friendship is probably one of the most enjoyable parts of the movie, with the two connecting on a personal level and doing some impressive detective work together in order to figure out what happened. Amy Landecker is also on hand as Heather, a family friend and lawyer who may have more to do with the case than she lets on.
Where the story and the central mystery begin to fall apart is the movie's climax, which makes a stylistic shift in order to cheat the established format and do something different than what has been presented. There are some brief flashes of the innovative format that help to bolster th story, but it is something of a let-down that the movie ultimately builds up to something that feels more generic and less inventive than what came before it. If anything, this stumble just shows that there are certain limitations to presenting a story this way, ones that steer the competently crafted tension into bog-standard third-act territory.
Even with its weaknesses, Missing still remains a compelling mystery story driven by an excellent lead performance and an unpredictable path to its conclusion. While it resembles Searching in many ways, it does enough to set itself apart and stand on its own. It's also worth noting that besides a few brief references to the earlier case, having seen Searching is not a prerequisite to enjoy Missing (although it is definitely worth checking out). There is plenty to like about Missing, and if anything, it shows that the concept of a screen thriller hasn't yet been overdone.
Missing opens in theaters on January 20th.
Missing
Missing is a movie from the creative team behind Searching that follows a daughter trying to find her missing mother. When June's (Storm Reid) mother goes on vacation in Columbia with her new boyfriend, she suddenly goes missing during the adventure. To find her, June will use all the information and social media tools she can to track her mother down before it's too late. However, the deeper she digs, the more she discovers how little she really knew her mother. You can rent Missing for just $1.99 for Prime Day.