By Melissa Antoinette Garza
Today, I got to hang out with my best friend of over 15 years. Whenever I get to see her, it’s an amazing time! Together with my husband, the three of us went to see the new film SEARCHING (2018).
I had seen the trailer and thought it looked decent enough to try. From the marketing campaign, I thought it was a horror film in the vein of UNFRIENDED (2014). Though, I enjoyed UNFRIENDED, I wasn’t overly-impressed with it. Still, I think there are avenues regarding social media that can be explored, especially in horror or its similar or sub-genres.
To be honest, I was wrong about SEARCHING (2018). Though, the theme did revolve around the internet, it wasn’t a horror movie. Instead, it was a well-thought out, enjoyable, thriller with clues to the conclusion hidden in plain sight.
The film opens showing milestones via computer pictures of David Kim (John Cho) his wife, Pamela (Sara Sohn) and daughter, Margot (Michelle La). We quickly learn that Pamela loses a battle with cancer and died, two years ago. David hasn’t dealt with the death and avoids the topic with his now 16-year-old daughter. His mechanism for coping is self-destructive as he simply pretends everything is okay.
When David awakes to find out his daughter tried to call him twice and Facetime him once, he gets a bit concerned. He tries to keep everything in perspective, but when he can’t get ahold of her and she doesn’t come home the following Monday, he enlists the police.
Detective Vick (Debra Messing) takes the case and asks David to get any info on Margot that he can. When a fake ID surfaces along with money transfers, Vick informs him that it looks as though his daughter has run away. At first, he doesn’t believe it, but as he catches Margot in lies, he begins to wonder if he knew her at all.
David looks at everyone with a watchful eye including his own brother Peter (Joseph Lee). After finding text messages that hint at an inappropriate relationship, he sets up videotapes to find out exactly what’s going on; but just as David is suspicious, people worldwide are doubtful of his innocence. Cold and hurtful social media posts from strangers, poke fun at Margot’s disappearance and point the finger at David as the culprit.
David tries not to let the negativity get to him, and instead tries to find Margot. Peter isn’t his only suspect. David finds Derek (Reed Buck) online. He seems as though he may have had a romantic relationship with Margot and his social media pages leave a lot to be desired. He has pictures of himself taking drugs and holding guns which are red flags that don’t go unnoticed. When he makes perverted and strange comments after Margot’s disappearance, David blows a gasket and tracks the kid down where a battle ensures.
In the end, the culprit is an interesting one. It makes sense and connects significant aspects of the film that initially appeared to be innocuous statements or events.
Overall, SEARCHING was a great movie. There are aspects of the film that remind me of LAW & ORDER SVU. That said, there’s also a lot more to it. Social commentary is woven within the production. It’s a look into how removed from decency we all can be when the victims are unknown, and the posters have anonymity.
For the most part, the acting was tremendous. John Cho, specifically, was able to show his versatility as an actor and portrayed the grieving and anxious father tremendously well.
My only grievance was the casting of Debra Messing. She wasn’t believable as a police officer. Her character seemed very affected throughout. There were a few moments of emotionality that were delivered in a somewhat genuine fashion, but she failed to bring the intensity or fire that was needed for her role and worse she could not convey the dedication to the case, instead always portraying Vick as tired and weary.
Despite, Messing’s less than stellar performance, SEARCHING is still definitely worth a watch. Cho really carries the production and does so expertly. A fantastic plot, a wonderful lead and a surprising twist; what more can one ask for?
Scared Stiff Rating: 7/10
