SUSIE SEARCHES (2023)

 

Story By & Directed By: Sophie Kargman

Written By: William Day Frank

Cinematography: Conor Murphy

Editor: Christine Park

Cast: Kiersey Clemons, Alex Wolff, Jim Gaffigan, David Walton, Rachel Sennott, Ken Marino, Isaac Powell, Geoffrey Owens, Alex Moffat, Dolly Wells, Jared Gilman, Kat Foster 

An awkward college student who seizes the opportunity to bolster her popularity and her under-the-radar true-crime podcast by solving the disappearance of a classmate.

This is a perfect starring vehicle for actress Kiersey Clemons who hasn’t gotten a role this rich and expressive since SWEETHEART. She ends up being the major reason to watch the film. She is not only the star of the film but It’s heart. 

The film starts off as quirky before taking more of a dark spin that even at its darkest stays a bit light. It seems like a film that will be Smile but by the end, it becomes more of a character study.

It offers some twists though eagle-eyed viewers will be able to predict certain elements and revelations, but you can’t see the emotions attached to them.

What at first seems like a movie that could easily be made into a franchise ala MURDER SHE WROTE only younger and with a goody too shoes who is socially awkward at its center. Maybe even on a smaller scale KNIVES OUT Slowly turns into a thriller that slowly becomes thrilling and strangling. Even if for us in the audience the consequences aren’t as daring. 

It does stay tight. The only weakness it has is that it never feels like we are that involved and we are held at a distance. Just as we get to know Susie’s day-to-day before she starts investigating. There could have been more scenes to flesh everyone out. Instead of just moments. Where we are not quite sure what the meaning of them exactly are. 

The film stays colorful and a bit odd at times. it never breaks into feeling bigger. Even though it takes place in a small town. The film stays feeling minute throughout.

However, it should be noted that race never plays into the film. Her being one of the few minorities in the film and being one of the smartest characters. Also helps her stand out and be more of interest. 

It is a perfectly quirky film to watch and be a kind of time waster. Though by the end for all that it succeeds. You just wish it had a bit more impact. You want to give the film the goodwill it seems to want and deserve. Just as the main character seems to desire and lack.

By the end it is ambiguous though it leaves you quite sad. As a kind of melancholy begins to take over.

Grade: C+