If you enjoyed Searching, then you are going to LOVE Missing. In the same vein as its predecessor, Missing is the type of film that requires your full attention. A lot is happening on screen. Cameras, texts, and videos allude to what filmmakers want you to see. If you miss all this information, you simply won’t know what’s going on. The title comes with the same team as the hard-hitting 2018 Searching. This time, Missing comes with writer and director Will Merrick and Nicholas D. Johnson at the helm, with additional writing from the original films’ Sev Ohanian.

Even though the Missing 2023 movie, is considered a sequel, there is no denying the movie is a standalone feature film. There are no ties to the original aside from a brief throwback scene that shows the end of Searching. In the opening, act news media is shown reporting on the outcome of Searching’s clue-laden mystery. Searching was centered around John Chos’ David Kim as he tries to find his missing daughter.

Again set in a social media and technology-centric playing field, we follow the lives of mother and daughter Grace and June. A light and airy beginning of a sweet but strained family unit simply living ordinary days. A new man has entered the picture with a very brief background on the family’s absence of its only male figure. Now that Kevin has entered as Grace’s new boyfriend the two are excitedly counting down the days until they venture overseas. Initiated by Kevin, he thinks Colombia will be the perfect holiday destination for the two new lovers.

In a simple sequence of events, June’s teen angst attitude against her mother’s life choices since her dad left has left the mother and daughter in a quasi-stalemate. Her dour attitude turns to panic however when the moment arrives to pick the two up at the airport. Grace and Ken don’t get off the plane. They never even left their hotel.

Missing Trailer 2023

Missing 2023 Movie

Performances from the ensemble cast represent more of Missing’s quality as a whole. Storm Reid (The Last of Us Tv Series) gives just the right dose of disregard. Like any teen rebelling against the mysteries of how life works she slowly evolves into quick thinking out of the box sleuthing as she realizes authorities can’t do much to help her. June’s systematic approach to doing her investigation is impressive. Watching her steely resolve on the internet gives just the right amount of modern equity that we know comes from the younger generations’ adaptation to all things digital. Despite missing from most of the film due to her lengthy disappearance, Nia Long who plays June’s mother Grace also gives a convincing accolade of a mother wanting to break out of a cycle and into something more positive.

There isn’t a lot to say about Missing that won’t give the ending of the film away. However, if you don’t find yourself hanging onto the edge of the seat you weren’t paying attention. The film is gripping and nonstop. It’s a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants action-filled emotional roller coaster the whole way through. Fortunately, that’s just the way we like it. The drama and thriller movie has a lengthy runtime of almost two hours which is practically unnoticeable due to the intensity from start to finish.

Missing is rated

4.75 tech-driven sleuthing out of 5

Mother of Movies score