Missing * Innovative And Captivating. Shown From The Perspective Of Technology, Not Once Does The Camera Face Any Of The Actors
From the minds behind Searching comes Missing, a thrilling roller-coaster mystery that makes you wonder how well you know those closest to you. When her mother disappears while on vacation in Colombia with her new boyfriend, June’s search for answers is hindered by international red tape. Stuck thousands of miles away in Los Angeles, June creatively uses all the latest technology at her fingertips to try and find her before it’s too late. But as she digs deeper, her digital sleuthing raises more questions than answers…and when June unravels secrets about her mom, she discovers that she never really knew her at all.
KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Miguel C. comments, “Missing is absolutely breathtaking. There are many suspense films, but the way this one is made is so new and different. It’s a new era of filmmaking because we never see a real shot; it all takes place on a computer.” Zoe C. adds, “Missing kept me at the edge of my seat. Unlike any film I’ve seen before, directors Nicholas D. Johnson and Will Merrick use a different approach to tell this story. The film is entirely narrated from the perspective of technology. Not once is the camera facing any of the actors. I found this innovative and captivating.” Natalia J. wraps it up with, “This film provides a very significant message, especially to younger viewers – admire, cherish and be grateful for those around you. In a split matter of seconds, you can lose someone you care about. Take the time to show you appreciate their existence every day.” See their full reviews below.
Missing
By Miguel C., KIDS FIRST!* Film Critic, age 13
Missing is absolutely breathtaking. There are many suspense films, but the way this one is made is so new and different. It’s a new era of filmmaking because we never see a real shot; it all takes place on a computer.
The storyline follows Junes’ (Storm Reid) mom, Grace (Nia Long) who goes on a trip to Colombia and mysteriously goes missing.
This film has a lot of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat, plus I cried because there is a very touching mother and daughter relationship.
This film will most likely become a fan favorite because it has a really good cast and the story line is amazing. I saw some of them coming but I was still shocked at things that happen. It is also super funny. There is a lot of Gen Z slang and different inside jokes that Gen Zers understand. The best part is how the characters look and act in their respective ways. We see a side of different people but we really don’t know if it’s really them or just an act until the end. There is also a lot of suspense and I got scared a lot. It’s also crazy seeing how much Storm has grown up and it’s really cool seeing her appear in more mature and darker roles. She is a great actress who is not afraid to take risks.
The message of this film is that everyone can know absolutely everything about you from the internet so really look at what you say and post. This movie definitely is on the more dangerous and darker side because it addresses kidnapping and there are parts where we see some hostages and some inappropriate behavior and words such as someone getting shot and other physical violence
I give Missing 4.5/5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. Missing comes out in theatres January 20, 2023.
Missing
By Nathalia J. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14
The mystery film, Missing, directed by Nicholos D. Johnson and Will Merrick, is immersive and suspenseful. This film covers familiar grounds, similar to the 2018 film Searching. Missing is held to a high standard which definitely is fulfilled; it hit me with one stunning reveal after another that reoriented my perspective and kept me clinging to the edge of my seat.
The story follows 18-year-old June Allen as she embarks on an desperate journey to locate her missing mother, Grace Allen, after failed efforts by the FBI. At first, Grace’s disappearance is suspected to be committed by strangers whose only interest was getting money. However, as June begins to broaden her search and look into her mother’s short-term boyfriend, Kevin Lin, she discovers that this mystery is more complex. In fact, the disappearance of her mother is the result of dangerous secrets Grace has kept hidden, which alter the significance and speculation that June is now also in great danger. Her mother’s boyfriend, Kevin, is directly tied to someone from Grace’s past who wants nothing but to destroy her life and Kevin is the perfect asset to this person’s desire for revenge against Grace.
My favorite character is June Allen, portrayed by the award-winning actress, Storm Reid. Throughout the film, June proves to be persistent, resilient and steadfast. Her eagerness to solve the mystery also provides an opportunity for June to acknowledge her love for her mother. She is driven to solve this mystery by her guilt of how she mistreated her mother before she went missing. I admire June for the mindset she carries within herself; she understands the risk and consequences that come with certain decisions she makes, yet overlooks them and plays an enormous role in solving her mother’s disappearance. Storms Reid executes the role of June Alle with precision. My favorite aspect of this film is how it immerses the audience – watching this film made me feel as if I was right there with June and at times with the kidnappers.
Directors Nicholas D. Johnson and Will Merrick make engaging use of technology in this film.Considering the only resource June has right at her fingertips is technology, she spends sleepless nights on her MacBook searching for information. However, every time she acts on it, she is always one step behind. It is as if someone is watching her, and knows her every move. Towards the middle of the film, we begin to get the perspective of the kidnapper and learn that June is in fact being watched, but not in the way she imagines. The person is watching her computer activity, discovering all her resources, information, contacts and future plans, which make it nearly impossible for June to find the person responsible until she comes face to face with death. I would like to admire the editing department for their work; the numerous plot-twists and countless perspectives in this film move at a fast pace and the editors excel in the execution of that. Each moment comes unpredicted or speculated from previous events, and the editing plays a huge role in achieving this. The constant cuts between June to Grace to the kidnapper, allows viewers to never focus deliberately on one character or moment as it’s always in motion.
This film provides a very significant message, especially to younger viewers – admire, cherish and be grateful for those around you. In a split matter of seconds, you can lose someone you care about. Take the time to show you appreciate their existence every day.
I give Missing 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. This film is now available at your local movie theaters. Enjoy!
Missing
Zoë Cannella, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14
Missing kept me at the edge of my seat. Unlike any film I’ve seen before, directors Nicholas D. Johnson and Will Merrick use a different approach to tell this story. The film is entirely narrated from the perspective of technology. Not once is the camera facing any of the actors. I found this innovative and captivating.
Missing is a story purely captured through technology. The movie focuses on a young girl named June, Gracefully played by Storm Reid. June’s mom, Grace Allen (actor) and her boyfriend Kevin (actor) go on a vacation in Colombia. After the trip, June waits countless hours at the airport for her mom to arrive and, to her surprise, she never does. From there the investigation begins — conducted by the teenager and helped with tech devices. The film shows her journey tracking down her mom and investigating the mystery of her disappearance, like a modern Enola Holmes. The movie shows how accessible the internet is and all June’s creative tactics her tracing finding her missing mom. This is also the story of a mother and daughter that missed each other when they were together.
This film really goes to show how even without the camera facing any of the actors, there is no absence of storytelling. Presenting this story through technology really adds to the experience of watching it. This film has a great cast as well. Storm Reid as June is a really nice fit; although, her performances in the TV series Euphoria and A wrinkle in Time” showcase her acting more than this film does. My favorite character is definitely Javier played by Joaquim De Almeida. In this film Javier helps June in her journey to find her mom and Joaquin’s performance brings a fresh comedic value to the film. The ending is a bit too drawn out, but the rest of the movie keeps you locked in with all its twists and turns. The cinematography is perfect for the style of the film and the editing works as well. The story is a bit predictable and fortuitous at some moments but overall, it keeps tension and engagement.
The message of the film is never underestimate the joy of living with your parents.
I give Missing 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommended for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theatres January 20, 2023.
