Review: Searching

Do we ever really know?

Single dad David (John Cho) is thrown for a loop when his teenage daughter, Margot (Michelle La) goes missing. Not believing she would simply run away, he breaks into her computer and attempts to piece everything together.

Searching is shot entirely through another screen. Computer monitors, video chat, news reports. This gimmick isn't new, most recently Unfriended used this technique and before that, Megan is Missing also used it to disastrous results. I wonder if writer/director Aneesh Chaganty saw the latter and used it as an outline of what not to do. Realistically, no one uses video calling this much, but the film uses it in a way that's almost completely believable and I appreciated those little touches, such as David just leaving his video chat app open on his computer while he makes a regular telephone call. So we still see David through the screen, but it's not his only form of communication.

This is a proper mystery through and through and John Cho is brilliant as a grieving father who is always honest and believable. The trailer that the studio threw together for this does it zero justice. It keeps you guessing and doesn't clue you in on the last piece of the puzzle until you're almost there. 

The ending might not be for some, but I liked that they went there with it. Most stories like this wouldn't.

Recommended: Yes

Grade: B+

Memorable Quote: "I really didn't know my daughter." - David (John Cho)

Comments

  1. John Cho is awesome as the guy can do comedy and drama just like the guy who plays Kumar. It's amazing that he's known for the guy that sort of invented the word MILF who is now one of our more reliable actors.

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    1. lol I'm glad more people see him as a capable actor now as apposed to MILF/Harold.

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  2. It was a really nice surprise thriller, wasn't it? I was impressed both with it and Cho's performance. And it is much more than a gimmick film. Good stuff.

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    1. Agreed. It was a nice surprise, especially after watching that godawful trailer.

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  3. I heard about this film and it sounds good but I usually don't like when they film things like what you describe. I often find it too distracting but i would be willing to give this a try

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  4. Nice review, Brittani. Enjoyed this quite a bit myself. Definitely a better use of the gimmick than Unfriended. ;)

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    1. I heard Unfriended was pretty decent...Megan is Missing on the other hand...lol

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  5. I really enjoyed this. It was a nice mystery that caused me to cry a few times. You should check out the mobile games Sara is Missing and Simulcara(I'm not 100% positive about the spelling) for a great interactive experience simular to this

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