SEARCHING (2018)

Directed By: Aneesh Chaganty 
Written By: Aneesh Chaganty & Sev Ohanian 
Cinematography: Juan Sebastian Barron 
Director Of Virtual Photography & Editor: Nicholas D. Johnson & Will Merrick 


Cast: John Cho, Debra Messing, Michelle La, Joseph Lee, Dominic Hoffman, Briana McLean 

After David Kim's 16-year-old daughter goes missing, a local investigation is opened and a detective is assigned to the case. But 37 hours later and without a single lead, David decides to search the one place no one has looked yet, where all secrets are kept today: his daughter's laptop. In a hyper-modern thriller told via the technology devices we use every day to communicate, David must trace his daughter's digital footprints before she disappears forever.

A thriller that keeps you guessing and on your toes. Where there are many elements that make it different and more modern.

Like the fact most of the movie is seen from a laptop or in o les footage seen on pat tops that at first seems to be a gimmick but then makes it work for itself and manages to make the film emotional, technical and still involve you in the mystery fully. Nor the first film To use this type of filmmaking technology to It’s advantage The movies UNFRIENDED, 1 and 2 (Which shouldn’t be a surprise as the mastermind behind those films is one of the producers of this film) and V.H.S. come to mind

The film stays neutral for the most part never tipping It’s hat until really towards the end.

It also offers up How people can be indifferent at first but once a news camera comes up they play up their emotions and concern.

The film offers up a few red herrings and offers up some drama behind the scenes.

The film has a main character and cast that is Asian American it makes it more a just so happens to be rather than a main point. Which is rare in an American film that it Offers a More diverse take.

It’s nice to see John Cho in a leading role after so many years as a supporting actor and carries of the lead gracefully and strong. Hard to believe how long It’s been and how old he is.

The way the movie is filmed and presented makes it feel more interactive and familiar to a modern audience especially when you take into account those who watch it after it has reaches theaters and are watching it on computer screen and phones rather than the big screen. So that it kind of accommodates them. By the end you are truly put through an emotional ringer.

Playing into the fact that parents believe they know their children and being confronted with the opposite and the little ways kids can hide their persoenas or true feelings and motives from their parents as long as they cover themselves and don’t cause too much trouble. How parents especially a single one can overlook or not notice the clues and then in trying to find her pick up and then find nothing but them.

Though everything presented is there for a reason early scenes with his wife give a kind of motivation that becomes sort of Important later but also not as important as one might think.

This is a film that asks You to figure out it’s Mystery but then distracts you with emotions and reminds you of who and what is at stake. It is also a film that seems to be clinical but then chooses to go a more emotional route many times and gives off a manipulative ending.

Grade: B