Movies that rely on gimmicks tend to be very hit or miss. A lot of them can be found in the “found footage” subgenre where the film is presented to the audience as being “real” through amateur filmmaking techniques and casting a cast of relative unknowns to fully sell the realism. Sometimes the gimmicks can really work (I think Unfriended did a fine job utilizing Skype and computer screens to make a surprisingly chilling film) then there are times when the gimmick gets tired and it’s clear that the film is using it as a crutch (I’m looking at you The Gallows).
I guess could say that Searching is a distant cousin of that subgenre. The stylistic approach used to tell the story, having the movie screen showing only what’s on a computer’s desktop, is similar to those employed by films in this genre but the key difference is that it’s not simply just a gimmick but a legitimate way to drive its narrative. Searching is grounded in reality and that reality is what adds to the suspense and tension. The visual choice is unique but that’s not the only reason Searching is so effective. This is a taut and suspenseful mystery/thriller that is also driven by a strong emotional component that is sometimes lacking in films such as these. The central emotional pull is a father’s dedication to his daughter and it becomes more palpable as the film races to its conclusion.
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. As David tries to find answers in regards to his daughter’s whereabouts, he realizes that he may not have known his daughter as well as he thought and he has to work through the secrets she has been keeping.
I’m not a father myself but the anxiety that David goes through as he realizes that his daughter isn’t simply off the grid is presented with incredible realism. It would be any parent’s nightmare to suddenly find their child missing and realizing that a dead phone battery or camping trip in an area with no cell service, is likely not the reason you can’t get a hold of them. The film doesn’t rush the scenario which really works in the film’s favor because all of David’s choices feel real. He doesn’t rush into a panic (maybe she’s at a piano lesson, or a study group with friends) but eventually, it’s clear to him that something is seriously wrong and his gradual desperation as he seeks answers is very relatable but also painful at times as well. When he learns things about his daughter that he didn’t know, you feel his disappointment with himself for not being fully aware. He’s a single father due to his wife passing away from cancer and the film does a good job at the beginning showing all home movies via the computer that allows you to connect with the characters before we get into the heart of the story. David’s struggle as a father is Searching‘s strongest attribute because you feel dropped in the situation and wonder if you would handle things the same way.
Searching is also a nicely structured mystery/thriller as well. Director and co-writer Aneesh Chaganty (sharing writing credit with Sev Ohanian) has made an effectively paced film that builds and builds as it goes along. For David, what happens to his daughter unfolds in an uncomfortably believable fashion. It’s every parent’s nightmare – the banality of everyday life suddenly becoming undone by the terror of loss. I thought a few times what the film would be like if it didn’t employ the computer desktop gimmick and I have to say it would lack the same impact. Telling the story this way allows the mystery to deepen and encourages a sense of audience participation. There is a voyeuristic quality to it all because all the programs and apps on screen are ones we are all familiar with and use frequently (Facebook, Venmo, Facetime, etc).
While there are other performers in the film, John Cho is the heart and soul of the project. I don’t think he’s particularly known for headlining a film like this but he makes a strong case for himself to take on more opportunities such as this one. As a father trapped by devastating circumstances, the actor shows a gradual unraveling, especially with his composure breaking down. His face becomes gaunt, his eyes and expression zombie-like. You feel his physical and mental exhaustion and that’s a testament to how good he is. Debra Messing provides adequate support as the detective on the case and offers up a familiar face that also isn’t distracting. She feels just as real in the story as Cho’s character. As David’s daughter, Michelle La provides the film with a realistic depiction of a teenager and her presence is felt throughout the film, even when she goes missing.
We’ve seen great examples of inclusion in the industry lately that I would love to see continue. With the success of Black Panther this year and the incredible box office run for Crazy Rich Asians, it was incredible to see that an Asian-American family was featured at the center of Searching. Even more impressive is that the choice doesn’t feel forced or tacked on. If anything it shows that the fear of a loved one going missing is universal and not defined by background or race. Searching is an expertly crafted mystery but what sold me the most was the emotional component of a dad’s love for his daughter. Searching definitely offers up one of the best moviegoing experiences of 2018.
