I was not expecting this to be as intense as it was. Like, it was Taken-level intense, and the main character never really gets more involved in the search than browsing his daughter's search history.
If you were to strip away the "all told through a computer screen" aspect, it would just be a mediocre Taken rip-off with no action. Instead, the viewer is forced to see only what our main character sees (minus the news broadcasts), leaving a lot more room for the audience to piece together clues from anything and everything shown on a screen (and there are a LOT of seemingly innocuous hints sprinkled masterfully throughout).
The storytelling is smart and so well done, especially the last fifteen minutes. Telling the story through various screens is more than just a gimmick; it elevates the story and connects us closer to this struggling dad (who almost doesn't feel like a character thanks to John Cho's great acting). The sense of dread hanging over the movie feels real, and I almost forgot I was watching a movie at some points.
If you like thrillers, even just a little bit, don't let this one fall to the bottom of your watchlist. Go see it.
Terrible plot, but aesthetically well crafted
Searching is a film with two main organisational principles; there's the thriller plot, which ostensibly keeps everything moving, and to which everything else should, in theory, be in service. Then there's the aesthetic design, with the entire film taking place online, the images presented taking the form of what is seen on computer screens, iPhones, security cameras etc. One of these principles is exceptionally well handled, the other isn't, and it shouldn't take a genius to guess which is which. If we're being really honest, in fact, the plot becomes more and more incidental as the narrative progresses and ever more ludicrous flights of fancy are introduced, transposing the story from a search for a missing girl into a litany of clichés and melodrama. On the other hand, the main reason, indeed probably the only reason any of us saw the film at all is because of its unique visual schema, and thankfully, this aspect is realised with an impressive degree of craft. You know you're in reasonably secure territory when the filmmakers are self-aware enough to begin an online film depicting the latest in consumer technology with the sound of an old dial-up connection.
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Every parent’s nightmare is for their child to go missing. In a world filled with predators who lurk disguised as would-be friends on social media sites, it is all too easy for a naïve youngster to get in over their heads in a situation that could prove to be dangerous.
David Kim (Cho) is a widower who hasn’t quite come to grips with the death of his wife and has become, in many ways, a helicopter parent, hovering over his daughter Margot (La) – the only family he has left other than his brother Peter (Lee) – to prevent the possibility of him losing her too. But when she doesn’t return home after an all-night study session and after some inquiries he discovers to his horror that she left the study session early, he calls the cops. Helpful detective Vick (Messing) gets his case and suggests he search through her laptop, which she had left at home (another ominous sign), to find out who she is close to and start contacting them.
The more David looks into his daughter’s online life, the more he realizes how little he really knew his daughter. With time ticking away and only a precious few clues as to her whereabouts to peruse, David grows more desperate.
The entire film is seen through laptop screens, smartphone screens, surveillance footage and news broadcast – very much a product of the 21st century. This could have been extremely gimmicky and towards the end it starts to feel that way, but first-time feature director Chaganty keeps things pretty fresh; he uses actual websites and apps in an effort to play to the target demographic who live their lives online. The problem with that is it is going to horribly date this movie in a matter of just a few years and it will lose its relevance quickly.
Still, Cho’s performance as a grieving husband and terrified father is universal and he is as good as I’ve ever seen him. The director’s point of how rather than being connected by the Internet, we have actually grown more isolated and fragmented, is well-taken. Unfortunately, all the good will the film builds up is nearly lost with a preposterous ending that will lead to much face-palming, even with the online crowd.
SEARCHING
Nailed it, bailed it or failed it?
Let’s play!
Writing: NAILED IT!
In what is probably the most original style of storytelling in a very long time, Searching gives us the entire story - including all of the dialogue and action - through computer and mobile phone screens and social media services we’re all familiar with. Every scene gives us snippets of the story and they’re just enough to form a comprehensive, easy-to-follow thriller.
It is actually surprisingly easy to follow the movie, since it really makes sure the audience knows what’s going on, but it does require more attention than the average thriller since a big part of the communication is entirely visual.
While the bulk of the script is formed by a well-paced and simple story (albeit with several twists), the deeper message is hard to miss: we live big parts of our lives online, and we leave huge digital footprints wherever we go.
Characters and Acting: NAILED IT!
It’s a tight but amazing cast, headed by Lost alumni John Cho. The performances are so mundane you hardly even realize that it’s all just acting. Debra Messing and Joseph Lee put in great performances as well and the supporting cast feels just as natural as the main stars.
Some of the phone calls heard throughout the film sound fake and too rehearsed, but that might be more due to sloppy dialogue writing than the actual performances.
Direction: NAILED IT!
Aneesh Chaganty has a clear vision for his film and he manages to keep the story together despite the unconventional style. Chaganty knows where to place his actors and where to put the focus of the scene so that he keeps the realistic tone while moving the story forward. There are scenes which split the action across several screens or apps, but the direction makes sure the viewer never gets lost.
Visuals: NAILED IT!
In all of its simplicity, basically copying those familiar desktop and app designs, the visual side of the film is amazingly original.
Sound: NAILED IT!
The sound effects are just as you’d expect but they’re amplified by a wonderful score.
Pacing: NAILED IT!
Searching is not a very fast-paced thriller by any means. It cuts expertly between different apps and programs, constantly playing with the pacing and the style. That is what keeps the film interesting and entertaining all the way to the end.
Themes: NAILED IT
Our digital footprints, the dark side of internet, the importance of good family relations, the desperation of a father in grief. Big and important themes that are very timely in the society of today.
Atmosphere: NAILED IT!
This film will keep you on the edge of the seat. It’s exciting, particularly in its final act, but also deeply touching and emotional.
Rewatchability: NAILED IT!
It’s only after you finish watching when you realise that many clues leading to the truth have been hidden in front of you in plain sight the entire time. Searching requires a few rewatched if you want to catch every single detail.
Expectations: NAILED IT!
I expected a lot, hearing about the unconventional storytelling. The final product is more than just a movie, something closer to an actual experience. It’s more enjoyable if you are familiar with and integrated in the modernized society of today.
Bottom line: NAILED IT!
Searching is on of the most original thrillers ever created, using everyday technology to tell us an important story about the lived all of us live every day in the 21st century. It’s a movie you just have to see in order to fully understand.
Re-watched this film in anticipation of seeing the follow-up, Missing. I loved it back in 2018 and it absolutely holds up. The opening sequence stands out as a powerhouse proof of concept. It could easily have been released as a short film, packing an emotional punch that proves that the computer screen POV is more than just a gimmick. The movie uses the POV in creative ways that ring true (or true enough anyway - yes, the excessive use of facetime is a crutch, but what do you expect? We obviously need to see our actors). Once the central mystery kicks off, the true power of the POV is revealed, as it allows the audience to be much more involved in the investigation, getting a direct window into our protagonist's train of thought. Honestly, it puts the "detective" work in most mystery movies to shame, which typically have to rely on either narration or some other equally blunt expositional dialogue to catch the audience up. The twists and turns keep the audience guessing, and the final reveal, though straining credulity in certain respects (surviving five days down a ravine still feels like a bit much, even with rain), generally sticks the landing. Finally, John Cho's performance needs to be called out, as he absolutely carries the film and excels despite the unconventional demands of the POV.
I was lucky to catch this movie in the sneak preview, otherwise I wouldn't have watched this one, as it did not seem to be any interesting.
I was expecting something in the direction of Bliar Witch Project when watching the trailer, and I though that as a found footage movie this would be as bad as all the other found footage movies I've seen (I am absolutely not a fan).
However, this was totally different and a total surprise for me - I found it to be pretty innovative to have the entire story told from the view of a computer screen (though now, having seen Unfriended, I have to see that it's actually not that original). The actor was pretty decent, the way of story telling worked really well and there where a number of surprises and turnarounds I did not expect.
The only criticism I have where those scenes that where a bit "too much", telling and showing the obvious to the viewer as long and in such detail that even the most stupidest person couldn't have missed it. You feel like the director thinks the viewers are extremely stupid sometimes. That was a bit unsatisfying but only a small flaw in an otherwise pretty great movie. It's really entertaining and a positive surprise. Definitely worth a watch!
Review by DeletedBlockedParentSpoilers2018-08-28T13:50:35Z
Searching is the new thriller directed by Aneesh Chaganty. Widowed father David Kim (John Cho) searches for his missing teenage daughter (Michelle La) with the help of multiple laptops and hard-talking detective Rosemary Vick (Debra Messing). All the action takes place on screens; the mystery unfolds through texts, FaceTime, YouTube and video blogs.
While some may have their doubts about watching what is essentially a filmed set of screens for nearly two hours, this unusual set up soon feels natural. After all, many of us spend a lot more than two hours without looking away from a screen in our daily lives.
The portrayal of familiar online habits on the big screen is cleverly used for comic effect. The constant rewriting of messages and the replacement of the jovial exclamation mark for the famously passive aggressive full stop is fully relatable and funny to watch. Some of the visuals are also arresting because they are taken out of their familiar context. Most notably, David’s screen saver is transformed into an enormous malignant jellyfish when shown without the borders of a laptop.
The clever parallels between the title, Searching, and the extensive use of search engines (particularly Apple’s “Finder”) throughout the film invite us to look at how we use the internet. Google asks us to “Search Google or type URL,” but when the missing object is a person rather than the answer to inane questions, these words take on a much more frightening currency.
Searching maintains a fantastic tension throughout the search for Margot. The contrast of the horror of the situation and recognisable ordinariness of the technological format is extremely effective in unsettling the audience.
The twists are truly chilling. By the end, there are perhaps just too many wrenching turns, which slightly dents the believability of the film. This is the only thing stopping Searching from getting a solid five-star review. It is a wonderfully sharp, brutally tense and inventively shot thriller that shows the blossoming possibilities of technology in film.