Missing (2023)
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Missing Movie Review
Missing is a 2023 thriller film directed by Will Merrick and Nick Johnson and starring Storm Reid. It’s a pretty good sequel.
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“I know you’re in summer vacay mode,
but do you have a sec?“
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After her mother goes missing, a young woman tries to find her from home, using tools available to her online. This movie is technically a sequel to 2018’s ‘Searching’, which was a more original and better crafted film, but Missing is still a satisfactory continuation of the same gimmick that also functions as a standalone story.
This movie deals with Gen Z and just how dexterous they are with applications and various online platforms and media. This depiction of living lives online for the most part was a very realistic one. The film also fails to criticize the extreme surveillance we are all under in this era, but when you see the positive side effects in those more rare criminal occurrences, it is hard to argue the benefits of that system.
When it comes to the plot, Missing is a mess of sorts. Just as the predecessor before it, the film is consistently engaging and one would say even riveting as the constant suspense never dissipates and the twists and turns abound. Undoubtedly, some of those twists didn’t make a whole lot of sense and the plot holes and inconsistencies were apparent throughout (you cannot really access another person’s e-mail account from your device without confirming your identity from the primary device), but if you are in the right mood for a twisty thriller that engages and thrills you, you are most definitely going to forgive the film for its laps in logic.
Storm Reid is actually very good in the main role of June. This protagonist is one that is quite grounded in reality while also being likable. It is hard not to root for her. Her mother’s backstory was interesting and the various other people that she encountered along the way of her sleuthing were very colorful with the most wonderful one being Javier. The friendship that they strike was quite endearing. The characterization overall is quite solid for this type of film.
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Missing is also technically accomplished and surprisingly well shot and edited. The editing is effortlessly proficient at capturing all of the various social media platforms and devices that the plot follows. The directing, writing and acting are all perfectly solid too, but a tighter and more believable third act was missing here.
Missing is a standalone sequel to the terrific 2018 movie Searching. This is another story that is told almost entirely via various screens, which made it quite modern and relatable. The depiction of the constant surveillance that we all put ourselves under these days was quite accurate. Yes, it has its plot holes and inconsistencies, but the suspenseful tone and riveting mystery made it a treat for genre fans.
My Rating – 4