Missing (2023) movie review: A gripping screenlife thriller led by Storm Reid. From the creators of ‘Searching’, this digital-age mystery explores trust, technology, and desperation. Read full review, plot breakdown, and BMR rating.
Introduction
In an era where our lives unfold across screens, Missing (2023) emerges as a sharp, modern thriller that explores the terrifying power—and limitations—of digital technology. Directed by Nicholas D. Johnson and Will Merrick, the film serves as a spiritual successor to the 2018 breakout Searching, adopting a similar “screenlife” format where the entire story is told through laptops, smartphones, and CCTV footage.
With Storm Reid in the lead and a twist-heavy plot that doesn’t let up, Missing is a high-stakes emotional journey that reflects both our digital dependency and the hidden dangers that come with it.
Plot Summary (Spoiler-Free)
Missing centers around June Allen (Storm Reid), a teenager whose mother Grace (Nia Long) goes missing while on vacation in Colombia with her new boyfriend. When local authorities prove slow and unhelpful, June uses every tool at her disposal—from Google searches to social media tracking—to try and find her mother from thousands of miles away.
As she digs deeper, June uncovers secrets that challenge her understanding of her mother’s identity, the man she was traveling with, and even her own past. The film’s strength lies in how seamlessly it integrates digital sleuthing into the story, offering viewers an interactive-like experience without breaking cinematic immersion.
Performances
Storm Reid delivers a phenomenal performance as June. Her portrayal is authentic, emotionally raw, and relatable. Whether she’s panicking in front of her webcam or navigating complicated digital trails, Reid keeps the audience invested in June’s quest from start to finish.
Nia Long, although seen less on screen, brings emotional depth to her role through flashbacks, video calls, and surveillance footage. Her calm and warm demeanor early on contrasts starkly with the unraveling mystery of her disappearance.
The supporting cast, including Joaquim de Almeida and Ken Leung, add layers of suspicion and intrigue, all without overshadowing the film’s central relationship between mother and daughter.
Direction and Screenplay
Nicholas D. Johnson and Will Merrick—editors of Searching—make a confident directorial debut with Missing. They build on the screenlife format innovatively, expanding beyond the desktop and phone screens to include smartwatch footage, TikTok videos, Ring doorbell clips, and even WhatsApp messages. It’s a masterclass in modern storytelling, reflecting how our digital footprints can lead to truth—or deeper lies.
The screenplay keeps the pace brisk and the stakes constantly rising. Just when you think you’ve figured out where the story is going, it flips the script. The final act, though slightly more dramatic and traditional than the grounded first half, still lands effectively.
Music and Technical Aspects
While the format limits traditional cinematography, Missing leverages editing, sound design, and digital effects to maximize tension. The use of background noise from video calls, keyboard typing, and notification sounds adds to the immersion.
The film’s score by Julian Scherle is minimalistic but effective. It never overshadows the tension, instead subtly accentuating emotional beats.
Strengths
- Innovative Screenlife Format: Maintains narrative tension through modern devices without feeling gimmicky.
- Strong Performances: Storm Reid carries the film with depth and emotional resonance.
- Pacing and Twists: Keeps you guessing with layers of misdirection and reveals.
- Relatable Themes: Reflects modern anxieties about surveillance, identity theft, and internet safety.
Weaknesses
- Slightly Over-the-Top Finale: The climax leans into traditional thriller tropes that may feel exaggerated.
- Believability: Some tech-based discoveries feel a bit convenient, though they serve the plot well.
Verdict
Missing succeeds as a gripping, emotionally resonant tech-thriller that’s both timely and tense. It’s not just a film about a missing person—it’s about how our lives, identities, and relationships are entangled in a digital web that can be as dangerous as it is helpful.
If you were intrigued by Searching, Missing is a worthy follow-up that stands on its own. It may play out entirely on screens, but the emotions hit hard, and the suspense keeps you glued.
Best Movie Review (BMR) Rating: 8/10
Missing is a clever, well-acted, and thrilling update to the screenlife genre—a modern mystery for the social media age that will keep audiences glued to their seats and screens alike.