🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Nicholas D. Johnson and Will Merrick
- Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Drama
- Release year: 2023
- Runtime (length): 1h 51min
- IMDb rating: 7.1/10 (67K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 87%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A teenager becomes the world’s greatest detective by staring at her computer screen until she accidentally stumbles upon a conspiracy involving her mom’s love life, Colombian drug cartels, and a resurrected dead dad with a major grudge.
🍿 Missing: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Disappearance
June’s mother, Grace, goes on vacation to Colombia with her new boyfriend, Kevin. When they don’t return, June becomes concerned and begins to investigate. Her search is complicated by international red tape and the fact that she’s thousands of miles away in Los Angeles. The film establishes the ‘screenlife’ format, showing the investigation unfold through June’s computer and phone screens.

Online Sleuthing
June uses all her digital skills to track down her mother. She hacks into accounts, hires a local Colombian named Javi to do on-the-ground work, and pieces together clues from social media and online records. Early leads suggest Kevin might be a con man with a history of scamming women, raising suspicion about his involvement in Grace’s disappearance.

Twists and Turns
The investigation takes several unexpected turns. June discovers that Kevin hired an actress to impersonate Grace, indicating a planned deception. Focus shifts to Grace, with hints suggesting she has a hidden past and multiple aliases. A supposed FBI raid results in Kevin’s death, leaving June seemingly at a dead end, but she presses on, driven by the need to find her mother.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- June (Storm Reid): A resourceful and tech-savvy teenager who uses digital tools to find her missing mother.
- Grace (Nia Long): June’s mother, who disappears while on vacation in Colombia, leading to a complex mystery.
- James (Tim Griffin): June’s supposedly deceased father, who returns as the vengeful mastermind behind Grace’s disappearance.
- Kevin (Ken Leung): Grace’s boyfriend, revealed to be a con man and accomplice in James’s plan.
- Javi (Joaquim de Almeida): A helpful Colombian gig worker hired by June who provides on-the-ground assistance in her investigation.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- June: “You ready for this…?” – June texts this to a friend, indicating they’re about to do something fun or rebellious.
- Veena: “[Sends a picture of booze]” – Veena replies to June’s text by sending a picture of booze, hinting at their plans.
- June: “let’s gooooooooooooooo” – June enthusiastically agrees to Veena’s suggestion, showing her eagerness to have fun.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $7,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $32,502,025
- Worldwide Gross: $48,767,848
💥 Missing Reviews
Personal Review
I really enjoyed ‘Missing’! I was hooked from the start. The whole computer screen format was different, but it worked. The twists were crazy. Especially when the dad turned out to be alive and a bad guy! That blew my mind. Javi was a total MVP. This movie made me wanna be a better digital detective.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of the movie Searching”
- “Viewers who enjoy mystery thrillers with plot twists”
- “People interested in stories about the power of technology and the internet”
- “Those who like found-footage style films”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Kidnapping”
- “Violence”
- “Drug use references”
- “Domestic abuse themes”
Professional Reviews
- The Hollywood Reporter: “Missing is a serviceable thriller elevated by its clever use of screenlife storytelling, even if the plot occasionally strains credulity. Storm Reid delivers a compelling performance, making the digital sleuthing feel surprisingly human.
- The Verge: “Missing takes the ‘Searching’ formula and refines it, delivering a suspenseful and engaging mystery that feels both modern and classic. The twists are genuinely surprising, and the film’s pacing keeps you on the edge of your seat.
- IndieWire: “While ‘Missing’ is technically proficient in its screenlife presentation, the convoluted plot and reliance on convenient coincidences ultimately undermine the film’s potential. Entertaining, but not particularly memorable.
Audience Reactions
The constant twists and turns kept viewers guessing until the very end.: The audience praised the film’s unpredictable plot twists.
Storm Reid’s performance resonated with viewers, making June’s desperation palpable.: Most enjoyed Storm Reid’s acting and her realistic portrayal of the main character.
Overall Consensus: Missing is a thrilling and suspenseful film that utilizes a unique screenlife format to tell a compelling story. The film is praised for its twists, pacing, and Storm Reid’s performance, though some found the plot to be convoluted or relied too heavily on convenient coincidences.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “This film is a standalone sequel to ‘Searching’ (2018) but features a completely different story and characters.”
- “The movie is filmed almost entirely from the perspective of computer and smartphone screens, utilizing a ‘screenlife’ format to enhance the sense of immersion and modern-day investigation.”
- “The filmmakers used creative editing and visual techniques to maintain a gripping pace, despite the limitations of the ‘screenlife’ format.”
🖥️ How to Watch Missing?
Missing is available for streaming on platforms such as Prime Video, and can also be rented or purchased on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for cable and satellite options.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Missing, you might like these similar films:
- Searching (2018): Direct comparison: This movie uses the same ‘screenlife’ format and deals with a similar theme of a parent searching for a missing child through digital means.
- Unfriended (2014): Thematic similarity: This movie uses the same ‘screenlife’ format and deals with suspense and mystery but in the horror genre.
- Profile (2018): Thematic similarity: A journalist goes undercover to expose ISIS recruitment tactics online.
🛒 Missing Related Products
- Searching (Blu-ray): Own the original groundbreaking thriller that started it all. Experience the suspense of Searching in stunning high definition.
- Hack-IT Board Game: Dive into the world of cybercrime with this thrilling board game where you race against the clock to uncover secrets and solve mysteries, just like June in the movie.
- Personalized ‘Missing’ Style Poster: Create your own personalized ‘Missing’ style poster featuring your name and picture. A unique and memorable keepsake for fans of the film.
- Missing: The Digital Detective’s Handbook: Learn real-world digital investigation techniques inspired by June’s methods in the film. A comprehensive guide to online safety and effective information gathering.
🎧 Soundtrack
Missing features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Missing is considered a standalone sequel to Searching (2018). While both films share a similar screenlife format and focus on a missing person investigation driven by technology, they feature different characters and storylines.
While the story includes scenes in Colombia, Missing was primarily filmed in Los Angeles and other locations within the United States, utilizing the screenlife format to create the illusion of international locations through technology.
The ‘screenlife’ format means the entire film is presented from the perspective of computer screens, phone screens, and other digital devices. This creates a unique viewing experience that aims to mirror how we interact with technology in our daily lives.
Javi, played by Joaquim de Almeida, is a gig worker in Colombia hired by June to assist with her investigation on the ground. He provides crucial support and becomes a valuable ally in her search for her mother.
🔥 Bonus Content
Why Megan Is Missing is so Disturbing | I Was WRONG About A Serbian Film
Ever wondered what all the hype (and controversy) is about with ‘Megan is Missing’? This video dives deep into why it’s so disturbing and even makes the creator re-evaluate their stance on other controversial films. I found her perspective super interesting!
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