Missing (2023) Review: Packs a Punch!

Missing, written and directed by Nicholas D. Johnson and Will Merrick, is a thriller that continues the story from the 2018 hit, Searching. The film tells the story of teenager June Allen, whose mother goes missing with her boyfriend while on vacation in Columbia. We follow June’s journey as she tries to find her mother through her computer screen and various other forms of technology.

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I had little to no expectations for Missing (2023) since I found out about it maybe a week before seeing it. I went into the theater blind, not knowing what I was going to watch, but I was happy to see that it was going to be the sequel to the film Searching, which I absolutely loved. Well, I really didn’t expect to say this, considering how much I loved the 2018 film, this film delivered on the same level. I absolutely loved it! It was fun, enigmatic, and entertaining.

It will make you laugh and pull at your heartstrings. It was simply a really enjoyable film with a lot of twists and turns. While the twists in the film weren’t always unexpected, it was still an exciting watch and still packed a punch. Also, it’s an unbelievable well-paced film. For a film that’s nearly two hours long, it barely felt like an hour and a half. It got started quickly and ran with it. There wasn’t a slow moment in this film.

First-time directors Nick Johnson and Will Merrick picked up right where Aneesh Chaganty and Sev Ohanian left off with the last one and did a phenomenal job directing. They also wrote an excellent script. I’m very excited to see what this duo does in the future, definitely a bright future, especially if they can continue to write compelling and entertaining scripts like this one. This film is simply a crowd and critic pleaser. Everyone is going to love this movie, hopefully, as much as I did.

As far as the performances go, just like Searching, this film is bolstered by a compelling leading performance. Storm Reid does an excellent job. Joaquin de Almeida also does an awesome job and is such a lovable character in a supporting role. Nia Long and the rest of the cast were also great. While Missing felt more grounded, I think I prefer Searching a bit more, but I still loved it and is definitely at the same level and in the same conversation.

‘Missing (2023)’ Rating – 3.5/5

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