Searching Review

    This movie is a mystery-thriller about a man whose daughter has gone missing, but it takes it in a whole new direction. What could've been an elongated SVU special became a thrilling and innovative feature because of it's approach: the whole thing takes place on the Dad's, David Kim (played by John Cho), computer screen. This isn't a wholly new concept. The 2014 horror film Unfriended attempted this format, and an episode of Modern Family did as well. But while those might have missed, this one hit. Hard. For a few reasons.
    Technology moves very quickly. Every year there's a new iPhone with all kinds of new features, as well as new apps daily, and new ways to connect with the world. A big part of what makes a movie is when it happens. This one takes modern technology and the perspective of a dad who might not understand it all, and uses it to it's advantage. It feels like all of it came together. Nothing felt forced (except perhaps the overuse of FaceTime, but that's understandable). Due to it's format, we might feel like we're missing out on the action, but all of the action takes place on the screen, and nothing on the screen is accidental. The movie had a peculiar way of making an arrow traveling on a blue line as exciting as a car chase.
     John Cho is brilliant. He delivers some of the most heart touching acting in the corner of the screen, either on the small square of FaceTime, or the still open screen after a declined call.
     The movie opens with an emotional sequence that challenges Up. Within a few minutes, I was tearing up, and already rooting for the characters.
     In addition to it's mastery of a new way of storytelling, this is also a really good mystery. It introduces clues that you don't even realize are clues, and gives plot twists that will shock you. But it never loses it's emotional core of a man who is willing to do anything to get his daughter back. We are with David on this journey, and just when you think you know the answer, something new will come up. It takes advantage of all the strange corners of the internet that aren't corners at all. All the weird behavior that really does occur. This movie kept me on the edge of my seat for the whole runtime. Like I said, nothing on the screen is accidental. The smallest details come back in marvelous ways. I was stunned.
      This was one of those movies that leaves you stumbling out of the theater like the world is unfamiliar. I felt like I was watching my life through a computer monitor, and even now, as I type this, I feel like this is pressing information that will come back and solve the mystery again.
      This movie sticks it's landing in so many ways. It hits every little point that it meant to. It had a definite purpose that was so exciting to see unfold.