SummaryAfter 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. In a hyper-modern thriller told via the technol... Read More
Directed By:Aneesh Chaganty
Written By:Aneesh Chaganty, Sev Ohanian
Searching
Metascore
Generally Favorable
71
User score
Generally Favorable
7.9
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
85% Positive
29 Reviews
29 Reviews
12% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
3% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Aug 2, 2018
91
For a film where every single scene is rigidly contained within a screen — framed by an iPhone FaceTime chat, a laptop exchange, TV image, home movie or security camera surveillance — Searching has a surprising sense of momentum.
83
Despite the specificity of its story and the manner in which its told, the issues at hand remain universal, including David’s struggle to connect with his child and the way paranoia can make even the best friends into the worst enemies.
User score
Generally Favorable
88% Positive
319 Ratings
319 Ratings
10% Mixed
36 Ratings
36 Ratings
2% Negative
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
Apr 13, 2023
10
given a nail bitting thrill. what a film this was . new concept and very brilliantly executed
Aug 22, 2018
80
Searching is a technical marvel with a beating heart at its core, which makes all the difference.
Aug 23, 2018
70
Though Searching is a fun ride, I left disappointed over how little the film uses its digital schtick to unpack the psychology behind our modern screen addiction.
Jul 30, 2018
63
As nimble as Aneesh Chaganty is in presenting his main character's multi-faceted interaction with technology in the first hour, the film suddenly morphs into a generic and manipulative missing-person thriller.
Aug 1, 2018
35
Searching is so smart about how we interact with computers that it's surprising how lame it is about moviemaking basics like characters and plot.
Sep 27, 2020
10
Incredible movie with great direction. Has you on the edge of your seat the whole movie!
Dec 17, 2020
6
The film is presented in a very interesting and innovative way, but it fails to bring more depth to its topics. A little more moving picture language and acting would have done well. Overall still worth seeing.
Oct 14, 2018
6
The movie works for perhaps 60 or 70 % of the time. But a ridiculous, nonsensical ending and other clumsy plot devices make the movie only average. Some work on the plot and the ending would have made it a dramatically better movie.
Mar 16, 2019
3
Look, i spent a lot of time in front of my computer. I can call ****, since i use pc everyday since i was like 9 (2004). But i don't like "the original" idea of filming an entire movie from a PC/CAMERA/TV perspective. I'm sorry. The story was also not so great, but honestly - i think people enjoyed it, because it was something new. May be i'm wrong, but that's just my opinion.
Mar 22, 2019
1
Mind-blowingly bad. It's made in style of modern teenager, seeing the world through screens and social media. Woah, how stupid and boring that was. Fell asleep at the middle, my boyfriend told me the story after that. The fact that this **** screen directing stays till the end should stop you from watching it.
Production Company:
- Screen Gems
- Stage 6 Films
- Bazelevs Production
Release Date:Aug 24, 2018
Duration:1 h 42 m
Rating:PG-13
Tagline:He just missed his daughter's final call.
Website:
Awards
Los Angeles Online Film Critics Society Awards
• 1 Win & 3 Nominations
Sundance Film Festival
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
Golden Trailer Awards
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
