Searching
Rent & Buy
After David Kim'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.
What critics thought
Searching won over most critics with its bold formal conceit — a thriller told entirely through screens — and John Cho's performance in a rare leading role. The main point of debate is whether the gimmick is clever storytelling or a one-time trick that won't survive imitation, and the third-act twist drew some eye-rolls even from fans of the ride.
“so unique in its approach that Sundance can only program something of its kind once before the gimmick gets old”
Peter Debruge·Variety
“director Aneesh Chaganty, in an exceptional feature debut, does the impossible, building a high-voltage, white-knuckle thriller told almost exclusively through smartphones, laptop screens, browser windows and surveillance footage. Searching is a technical marvel with a beating heart at its core, which makes all the difference”
Peter Travers·Rolling Stone
“While a somewhat silly reveal in the final act feels ripped from a Law & Order episode, the combination of clever concept reflecting the prevalence of screens in everyday life, and the pleasure of watching a typically underused Mr. Cho take on a meaty lead role make Searching a satisfying psychological thriller.”
Aisha Harris·The New York Times
“a true storytelling feat, married with sharp editing that makes the entire effort not only seamless, but also wholly intuitive”
Kate Erbland·IndieWire
Genres
Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Cast & Crew
Aneesh ChagantyDirector
John ChoDavid Kim
Michelle LaMargot
Debra MessingDetective Vick
Joseph LeePeter
Sara SohnPamela Nam Kim
Briana McLeanAbigail
Erica JenkinsHannah
Connor McRaithIsaac
Dominic HoffmanMichael Porter
Ric SarabiaRandy Cartoff
Melissa DisneyIsaac's Mom (voice)
Sev OhanianWriterSearching
After David Kim'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.
What critics thought
Searching won over most critics with its bold formal conceit — a thriller told entirely through screens — and John Cho's performance in a rare leading role. The main point of debate is whether the gimmick is clever storytelling or a one-time trick that won't survive imitation, and the third-act twist drew some eye-rolls even from fans of the ride.
“so unique in its approach that Sundance can only program something of its kind once before the gimmick gets old”
Peter Debruge·Variety
“director Aneesh Chaganty, in an exceptional feature debut, does the impossible, building a high-voltage, white-knuckle thriller told almost exclusively through smartphones, laptop screens, browser windows and surveillance footage. Searching is a technical marvel with a beating heart at its core, which makes all the difference”
Peter Travers·Rolling Stone
“While a somewhat silly reveal in the final act feels ripped from a Law & Order episode, the combination of clever concept reflecting the prevalence of screens in everyday life, and the pleasure of watching a typically underused Mr. Cho take on a meaty lead role make Searching a satisfying psychological thriller.”
Aisha Harris·The New York Times
“a true storytelling feat, married with sharp editing that makes the entire effort not only seamless, but also wholly intuitive”
Kate Erbland·IndieWire
Genres
Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Cast & Crew
Aneesh ChagantyDirectorJohn ChoDavid KimMichelle LaMargotDebra MessingDetective VickJoseph LeePeterSara SohnPamela Nam KimBriana McLeanAbigailErica JenkinsHannahConnor McRaithIsaacDominic HoffmanMichael PorterRic SarabiaRandy CartoffMelissa DisneyIsaac's Mom (voice)Sev OhanianWriterRent & Buy