Searching

Name: Searching
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Released: August 24, 2018
Duration: 102 min
Rating: 71
Cast: Alex Jayne Go, Brad Abrell, Debra Messing, Dominic Hoffman, Gabriel D. Angell

2018

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 34 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 335 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	Your Score
7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 335 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Screen Gems | Release Date: August 24, 2018 | PG-13

Starring: Alex Jayne Go, Brad Abrell, Debra Messing, Dominic Hoffman, Gabriel D. Angell, Gage Biltoft, John Cho, Joseph Lee, Kya Dawn Lau, Megan Liu, Michelle La, Roy Abramsohn, Sara Sohn, Sylvia Minassian, Thomas Barbusca

Movie Facts:

Aneesh Chaganty’s debut feature won the Audience Award in the NEXT section at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival.

Summary: After David Kim (John Cho)’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 theAfter David Kim (John Cho)’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.… Expand

Director: Aneesh Chaganty

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 102 min

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Critic Reviews

Kim Hughes

Aug 2, 2018

For a film where every single scene is rigidly contained within a screen — framed by an iPhone FaceTime chat, a laptop exchange, TV image, home movie or security camera surveillance — Searching has a surprising sense of momentum. Read full review

Carlos Aguilar

Aug 23, 2018

Chaganty and co-writer Sev Ohanian refrained from facilitating a cautionary tale centered on the unspeakable dangers that lie ahead with every click. Their approach concentrates on experiences that are collectively understood in relation to modern artifacts and how they transform our codes of conduct. Read full review

Randy Cordova

Aug 27, 2018

Searching is a thriller with a gimmick. The entire story takes place on screens — we see the action play out on devices like laptops and phones. But the movie never feels gimmicky, which is perhaps the neatest feat achieved by first-time director Aneesh Chaganty. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Christy Lemire

Aug 24, 2018

It aims for and earns genuine emotion rather than cheap thrills. Read full review

Justin Chang

Aug 23, 2018

Searching is nothing if not ambitious, and its rapidly accelerating second half is jammed with bold twists, red herrings and breathless confrontations. It’s also here that the movie begins to slacken its grip — partly because some of the twists beggar belief, and partly because they strain the limits of the online-all-the-time interface. Read full review

Tim Grierson

The movie’s arresting visual conceit has enough flexibility to sustain interest, even if the story’s twists and turns sometimes feel excessively fiendish. Read full review

Daniel Eagan

Aug 1, 2018

Searching is so smart about how we interact with computers that it's surprising how lame it is about moviemaking basics like characters and plot. Read full review

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User Reviews

oldcoot

Sep 2, 2018

Excellent movie from start to end. Some call it an Asian American film but I (70's white guy) see it as a great American story. No need to compartmentalize it. Very cleverly done. Great acting. Very creative approach makes every minute suspenseful. This should get Oscar nominations.

8 of 14 users found this helpful86

ZJH

Feb 5, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. John Cho gives us a best performance of him.Since the movie beginning I was quiet for a long time.The story is about a girl is missing,his father finds clues on his daughter’s computer,but few times later,he finds some secret things.(Like give someone 2500$)And he is getting more close to the truth.Its”Everything on your computer”just like”Unfriended:Dark Web”but this movie is better than it.I love this movie.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

umrttl

Feb 7, 2023

Unique movie that I don't mind rewatching. Not mind blowing or anything but I have to give it respect for trying something new and pulling off an entertaining thriller full of twists.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Kenmei

Feb 23, 2019

A very well done movie from John Cho. Taking a new style of presenting a story that hasn't really caught on till now with the computer screens perspective was a fairly interesting route to take here. It really sets the fairly standard story apart with a different perspective as the timesA very well done movie from John Cho. Taking a new style of presenting a story that hasn't really caught on till now with the computer screens perspective was a fairly interesting route to take here. It really sets the fairly standard story apart with a different perspective as the times where the Father, played by John Cho, almost through his own eyes during the segments of discovery he has throughout the movie. It was pretty interesting to see as you could really put yourself in his shoes during his investigation because of the almost first person perspective. If only the story was a bit more interesting and not as cookie cutter as it came off as here. It's a pretty by-the-numbers affair and the ending could be seen coming from a mile away. That's definitely not to say its not worth it just because of the perspective its filmed in. And, for that, I'd definitely recommend it to people.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

GreatMartin

Sep 11, 2018

Last night I watched “Swiped: Hooking up in the Digital Age” showing how millenniums, along with others, are caught up in the Internet and technology. Later in the evening in an episode of “Ballers” there were sections of texts being exchanged. (An aside: television has to learn to fill theLast night I watched “Swiped: Hooking up in the Digital Age” showing how millenniums, along with others, are caught up in the Internet and technology. Later in the evening in an episode of “Ballers” there were sections of texts being exchanged. (An aside: television has to learn to fill the screen with a text so it can be read!)
Today I saw the movie “Searchers” which, from beginning to end, takes place on computer screens, smart phones, face time chats, facebook, google, dozens of hook up sites, vblogs and anything that can be done on the social media sites of a desktop or laptop.
The film opens with montages of David Kim (John Cho) and his wife Pamela (Sara Sohn) happily raising their daughter Margot (various actresses at different ages with Michelle La at the age of 16) until Pamela’s death from cancer. Through FaceTime chat between father and daughter we see they are very close and are adjusting as well as they can.
Margot does have a habit of forgetting her job of taking out the garbage and David, jokingly, affectionately, sends her picture of the overflowing kitchen garbage can and she responds, apologizing, saying that she will take care of it the first thing when she gets home from school.
Margot doesn’t make it home!
Not wanting to give anything away, you know, spoilers, I’ll just say it becomes a mystery with the father going through everything on his daughter’s computer and phone to find her. There are a few red herrings but if you follow it closely and are good at solving mysteries you might get the answer.
Along the way we meet Detective Rosemary Vick (Debra Messing) who is leading the investigation and has a teenage child of her own, David’s younger brother Peter (Joseph Lee) who is more laid back than the older brother, along with schoolmates, teachers, chat room friends and people who claim they knew Margot more than they did.
The only deviation from the Internet and cell phone are a few television broadcasts but I was really surprised how easy it is to hack a website that you may think is so safe.
“Searching” is a decent mystery thriller told in a different form which will hold your interest. John Cho is the center of most of the screen shots and holds your attention whether it is showing the feelings for his daughter, his mastery of today’s technology or showing the range of emotions going through him not knowing what happened to his daughter.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Wael

Jan 21, 2019

Entirely presented on the screens of smartphones or laptops, "Searching" takes a very interesting, original, and bold cinematographic direction. Despite some weak points here and there in the story, the plot is thrilling and intriguing enough to keep you wondering where the hell Margot is,Entirely presented on the screens of smartphones or laptops, "Searching" takes a very interesting, original, and bold cinematographic direction. Despite some weak points here and there in the story, the plot is thrilling and intriguing enough to keep you wondering where the hell Margot is, and the plot twist comes in the end to quench the viewer's thirst.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

zipan

Apr 28, 2019

One of the worst movies I've ever seen - most of the movie you just stare at a computer screen that's mixed up with some amateur acting and a very boring screenplay. Total waste of time and money. People that praise this movie are idiots.

0 of 5 users found this helpful05

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