After nearly two months of festivals, party, and the kind of joyful chaos that leaves you both full and fatigued, it feels good to be back, coffee in hand, laptop open, and a story to tell.
And this time, that story unfolds on a screen.
I recently watched Searching (2018) and Missing (2023): two digital-age thrillers that pull you straight into their tension without ever leaving the world of webcams, social feeds, and chat windows. Both films unfold entirely through screens, proving that a story doesn’t need grand sets to make your pulse race; just a sharp script and a painfully real fear: losing someone you love.
Searching (2018)
Under the direction of Aneesh Chaganty and the writing of Sev Ohanian, Searching unfolds as both a thriller and a father’s heartbreak. David Kim (John Cho) scours every corner of his missing daughter’s digital footprints; the chats, the photos, the passwords; clinging to the hope that one click might lead him back to her.
Every frame takes place on a device screen, yet the emotional intensity never slips. The film captures our dependence on technology with unnerving accuracy; how much of our identity, relationships, and even secrets live behind a login.
What lingers long after the credits isn’t just the mystery, but the heartbreak of watching a parent realize how little he knew about his child.
Rating: 4.5/5
Watch with kids? Yes, especially tweens or teens. It’s a gripping watch that opens up honest conversations about digital footprints and online safety.
Missing (2023)
The successor to Searching, Missing shifts the perspective; and the stakes. Directed by Nick Johnson and Will Merrick (the editing duo behind Searching), it tells the story of June (Storm Reid), a tech-savvy daughter whose mother vanishes during a trip to Colombia.
What follows is a clever, high-speed chase through apps, emails, smart devices, and encrypted accounts. Each click reveals something new; and something darker. Storm Reid is extraordinary, portraying panic, guilt, and fierce determination with authenticity that feels almost documentary-like.
As the twists pile up, you’ll find yourself scanning every tab on the screen for clues. My daughter and I kept exchanging theories; and she caught some I completely missed.
Rating: 4/5
Watch with kids? Absolutely. It’s suspenseful without being disturbing, and offers a smart peek into the way technology shapes; and sometimes distorts; relationships.
For more suspenseful tech thrills, don’t miss my review of CTRL: Caught in the Web of AI here
Final Thoughts
Both films remind us how intertwined our real and digital worlds have become. As a parent, it’s both fascinating and terrifying. As a viewer, it’s pure storytelling magic; inventive, emotional, and edge-of-the-seat good.
So, if you’re planning a weekend watch after all the festive madness, start with Searching and follow it up with Missing. Better put your phone aside; the suspense demands your full attention.
Disclaimer: The movie still used in this post has been sourced from Google and is the property of its respective creators.
Oh thanks for suggestion. Would love more of such post 🙂
Thank you for the very sharp reviews. Now I know what to do this weekend. I will start with watching Missing.
Great cast, in general, tho very small, given the story was told so exclusively from the father’s perspective. There were so many twists and turns, they made it impossible to truly predict what was going on. John Cho delivers yet another excellent performance. also extremely refreshing to see Debra Messing in this type of role. Great movie.
Great review — you’ve really captured the adrenaline and tech-savvy tension of this fast-paced thriller. Made me want to press pause on everything and watch it NOW!