Plot Summary
Searching is a 2018 American thriller movie directed by Aneesh Chaganty. The story centers on David Kim (played by John Cho) who is a widower and a single parent to his teenage daughter Margot Kim (played by Michelle La). David is a well-off father with a good job in a software company and is beloved by his daughter. But one day, Margot goes missing when she fails to return home after a study group session.
David begins his search for his daughter when he notices unusual activities in Margot’s social media accounts. He soon discovers that his daughter had canceled her piano lessons, which she never does, and had no records of attending the biology study group. Concerned about his missing daughter, David reports the incident to the police and is assigned Detective Rosemary Vick (played by Debra Messing) to his case.
As the investigation progresses, David uncovers more clues that lead him to believe his daughter’s disappearance is related to a cyber-crime syndicate. He delves deeper into his daughter’s digital footprint and starts to uncover a web of deception and hidden secrets that Margot had kept from him. David gets more desperate as time passes by, and he risks everything to find his daughter before it’s too late.
Cast and Crew
The movie stars John Cho in the lead role as David Kim. Michelle La plays Margot Kim, David’s daughter, and Debra Messing as Detective Rosemary Vick. The movie is directed by Aneesh Chaganty, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Sev Ohanian. The movie’s music is composed by Torin Borrowdale, and the cinematography is by Juan Sebastian Baron.
Critical Reception and Box Office
Searching premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2018 and received critical acclaim. Critics praised the movie’s unique storytelling method and its innovative use of technology in its narrative. The movie has a rating of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 244 reviews, with an average rating of 7.93/10.
The movie was also a commercial success, grossing over $75 million worldwide against a production budget of $880,000.
Conclusion
Searching is a gripping thriller movie that keeps the audience at the edge of their seats. The movie’s unique way of storytelling, coupled with its innovative use of technology, makes it an enthralling watch. John Cho’s performance as David Kim is exceptional, and he brings an emotional depth to the character that makes the audience sympathize with him. The movie’s critical and commercial success is a testament to its brilliance and innovation, and it’s a must-watch for anyone who loves a good thriller movie.
