The Missing Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A white woman mad at her dad, who thinks he’s an Apache, has to team up with him when Apache-influenced witch kidnaps her daughter to sell her to Mexico.

🍿 The Missing: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Estranged Father Returns

In 1885 New Mexico, Maggie Gilkeson (Cate Blanchett), a frontier doctor and single mother, is living with her two daughters, Lilly (Evan Rachel Wood) and Dot (Jenna Boyd). Her estranged father, Samuel Jones (Tommy Lee Jones), returns after many years, hoping to reconcile. Maggie, still bitter about his abandonment, rejects him.

Kidnapping and Pursuit

Lilly is kidnapped by a group of Apache renegades led by a brujo (witch doctor) named Pesh-Chidin (Eric Schweig), who intends to sell the captured girls into slavery in Mexico. Maggie’s lover, Brake, is killed. Desperate, Maggie reluctantly seeks the help of her father, Samuel, due to his tracking skills and knowledge of the Apache ways. Together with young Dot, they set out to rescue Lilly.

Tracking the Renegades

The trio follows the trail of the kidnappers, facing numerous dangers and challenges along the way. Samuel uses his knowledge of Apache customs and the land to track the group. The pursuit reveals the brutality of the renegades and the desperate circumstances of the kidnapped girls. Maggie is cursed by the brujo

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Samuel Jones (Tommy Lee Jones): The estranged father returns, having adopted the Apache way of life, to help his daughter find her kidnapped child and seek redemption.
• Magdalena Gilkeson (Cate Blanchett): A strong-willed frontier doctor and single mother who must reluctantly accept help from her estranged father to rescue her kidnapped daughter.
• Lilly Gilkeson (Evan Rachel Wood): The teenage daughter whose kidnapping sets the plot in motion, forcing her mother and grandfather to work together.
• Dot Gilkeson (Jenna Boyd): The younger daughter who accompanies her mother and grandfather on the dangerous journey to rescue her sister.
• Chidin (Eric Schweig): The Apache brujo (witch) and leader of the kidnappers, motivated by evil and supernatural beliefs.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Maggie: “Why didn’t you stay?” – Maggie confronts her father, Samuel, about abandoning her family when she was a child.
• Samuel: “There’s an Apache story about a man that woke up one morning and saw a hawk on the wind. Walked outside and never returned. After he died he met his wife in the spirit world. She asked him why he never came home, he said ‘Well, the hawk kept flying’.” – Samuel explains his reasons for leaving, using an Apache story to illustrate the allure of the unknown.
• Samuel: “There’s always the next something, Maggie. And that will take a man away.” – Samuel further elaborates on his restlessness and inability to settle down, causing him to abandon his family.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $60,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $27,011,180
• Worldwide Gross: $38,364,277

💥 The Missing Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing this movie in the theaters and being completely captivated by Cate Blanchett’s performance. The harshness of the landscape and the brutal reality of her character’s life really drew me in. While the supernatural elements felt a little out of place, the emotional core of the story, especially the strained relationship between Maggie and her father, kept me invested. The scene where they finally connect amidst all the chaos was incredibly powerful. It’s a raw and gritty Western that stuck with me.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of westerns”
  • “Viewers interested in thrillers with strong female leads”
  • “Those who enjoy movies with complex family dynamics”
  • “Fans of Tommy Lee Jones and Cate Blanchett”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Kidnapping”
  • “Mature Themes”
  • “Some disturbing images”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Despite the best efforts of Cate Blanchett and Tommy Lee Jones, The Missing is a plodding, cliché-ridden Western weighed down by a convoluted plot and unnecessary supernatural elements. While the direction is fine, The Missing ultimately fails to engage due to its predictable narrative and lack of emotional resonance.
• IMDB: “A gripping Western, elevated by the performances of Cate Blanchett and Tommy Lee Jones. While the blend of Western and mystical thriller may not appeal to everyone, the film offers a unique take on the genre. Ron Howard’s direction is solid, creating suspenseful moments and highlighting the harsh realities of the Old West. The movie stands out due to its willingness to explore complex themes of family, forgiveness, and survival.
• New York Times: “The Missing attempts to blend classic Western elements with supernatural suspense, resulting in a film that doesn’t fully succeed in either genre. Cate Blanchett and Tommy Lee Jones deliver strong performances, but the storyline feels convoluted. This film fails to capture the magic and tension needed to elevate it beyond a standard revenge Western. While visually appealing, lacks the emotional depth to leave a lasting impact.

Audience Reactions

The strong female lead and family drama added depth to a typical western.: Many viewers appreciated the performances of Cate Blanchett and Tommy Lee Jones and Eric Schweig, as well as the film’s attempt to offer a more nuanced portrayal of the Old West.

A unique movie blending the mystical/supernatural with the western genre.: Many users enjoyed the unique theme that blended the mysticism/supernatural with the western genre.

Overall Consensus: The Missing is a visually striking but flawed Western that boasts strong performances but struggles with a convoluted plot and divisive supernatural elements. It’s a compelling watch for fans of the genre, but may not appeal to all viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Tommy Lee Jones and Eric Schweig learned some Chiricahua Apache for this film. Their instructors were two of the last three remaining fluent speakers.”
• “Val Kilmer, who lives on a nearby New Mexico ranch, agreed to producers a secondary cameo in this film.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Missing?

As of October 26, 2023, The Missing is available for purchase or rental on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check these streaming services for current availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Missing, you might like these similar films:

• The Searchers (1956): Direct comparison: A classic Western about a determined search for a kidnapped girl, sharing themes of perseverance and the harsh realities of the frontier.
• Hostiles (2017): Thematic similar: Explores themes of reconciliation and the complexities of Native American relations in the late 19th century, with a focus on violence and survival.
• Open Range (2003): Era-specific alternative: A traditional western released around the same time, offering a different perspective on frontier life and conflicts, appealing to those interested in the same historical period.
• Wind River (2017): Modern equivalent: A neo-Western crime thriller set on a Native American reservation, dealing with themes of violence against women, survival in harsh environments, and cross-cultural understanding.

🛒 The Missing Related Products

• The Missing (DVD): Own the film on DVD and delve deeper with behind-the-scenes features and deleted scenes. Great addition for collectors of western movies and Ron Howard films.
• Tommy Lee Jones: A Life in Pictures: Explore the career of the actor, and explore the details of this unique movie and other films.
• Western Cowboy Costume Hat – Felt: Get the look and style that Tommy Lee Jones used in this unique Western movie.
• Vintage Rifle Replica – Non-Firing: Add this non firing replica rifle for your western collection. Get that 1880s vintage look.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Missing features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by James Horner
• “The Rescue” – performed by James Horner

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

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