Directed by Aneesh Chaganty, Searching is an incredibly gripping thriller set entirely on computer and smartphone screens.
Two years after the death of his wife, David Kim’s (John Cho) relationship with his 16-year-old daughter Margot (Michelle La) has become distant. Under the impression Margot is staying late at a friend’s house for a study group, David goes to sleep and misses three late-night calls from Margot. The next morning, David is unable to contact Margot but assumes she has left early to attend school. After more failed attempts to contact Margot, David contacts her piano teacher. However, she informs him that Margot quit her piano lessons six months earlier despite Margot leading David to believe otherwise. Immediately, David contacts law enforcement to report Margot is missing. Detective Rosemary Vick (Debra Messing) is assigned to Margot’s case and provides David with instructions on how he can assist in the search. Eager and determined to find his daughter, David explores the internet for any possible information leading to his daughter’s disappearance.
Searching not only hits its mark, but does so in an innovative setting that will keep audiences on the edge of their seat. If I’m being honest, I wasn’t sure that I’d enjoy a film that was set completely on the screens of computers and smartphones, but the film does an extraordinary job of utilizing computer displays and functions to tie-in to an incredibly gripping plot. The filmmakers were also clever in using smartphone displays for when character’s are on the move. There is also a bit of realism in the way the film’s protagonist uses computer functions, social media, and internet searching to search for his daughter.
John Cho (Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle) and Debra Messing (TV’s Will and Grace) deliver excellent performances in a film that provides a new acting challenge. Because the film is seen through the display of computers and smartphones, space and movement are limited forcing Cho and Messing to give convincing performances via dramatic dialogue and on-screen chemistry. I don’t want to give much away, because the mystery is what makes the film so attention-grabbing. However, as the search for Margot continues we see a lot more back-and-forth interaction between David and Detective Vick. I really enjoyed Joseph Lee’s performance as Peter Kim, David’s brother. Despite only having not having many acting credits under his belt, Lee is excellent and his character adds to the intriguing mystery of Margot’s disappearance.
Special Features include:
- Searching for Easter Eggs
- Changing the Language of Film
- Filmmakers’ Commentary
- Update Username: Cast and Characters
Searching is quite a remarkable film that will almost immediately hook you in and not let go until the mystery of Margot Kim’s disappearance is solved. It is my hope that this film doesn’t create a new genre of “computer display” films, but that is because this story and use of computer/smartphone functions fit perfectly together to create an extraordinary film.