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Missing

Play trailer Poster for Missing PG Released Feb 12, 1982 2h 2m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 35 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
In 1973, U.S. businessman Ed Horman (Jack Lemmon) arrives in Chile to look for his son, Charles (John Shea), a politically left-leaning journalist who disappeared during a military coup. Charles' wife, Beth (Sissy Spacek), has been looking for some time, but her requests for help from the U.S. consulate have thus far produced few results. As Ed and Beth try to figure out what really happened to Charles, Ed realizes that the American officials may know more than they're telling.
Missing

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Critics Consensus

Thanks in large part to strong performances by Sissy Spacek and Jack Lemmon, Missing is both a gripping character exploration and an effective political thriller.

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Critics Reviews

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Richard Corliss TIME Magazine A story that could have made for a brisk jeremiad on 60 Minutes is stretched to 122 minutes of heroes fuming and villains purring their oleaginous apologies. Spacek and Lemmon, an appealing sweet-and-sour combo, sink in the swamp of good intentions. Mar 29, 2009 Full Review Variety Staff Variety Lemmon is superior as a man facing up to issues he never wanted to confront personally. Mar 26, 2009 Full Review Derek Adams Time Out Spacek and Lemmon are fine as the missing man's wife and father, but what makes the film so overwhelming in places is its unending night-time imagery of a society coming apart at the seams. Jun 24, 2006 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy A riveting political piece. Rated: 3.5/4 Sep 2, 2024 Full Review Zita Short InSession Film Costa-Gavras made far more radical political thrillers than this but I think this was one of his sharpest efforts as it is able to package its political message within an engaging human story. Feb 7, 2023 Full Review Chase Burns The Stranger (Seattle, WA) Missing remains one of director Costa-Gavras's best works. Jan 20, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Carlos I While Jack Lemmon delivers a great performance, giving an intensity you don't often see from him, the 1982 political thriller Missing is ultimately just an okay film. Despite Lemmon's captivating presence, the movie struggles to rise above being a standard entry in the genre. Its strengths are overshadowed by a narrative that, while competent, fails to leave a lasting impact, making it a decent watch but not a truly remarkable one. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 08/19/25 Full Review Patricia W This movie stinks.Not one likable character in the film.No one to root for.You won't care if they find the son or not.In fact,you'll with they'd all disappear. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 06/23/25 Full Review Aldo G Must watch film for Americans. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/23/25 Full Review Joseph G A bit dated and the premise that one American citizen will receive the kind of US government support seems stretched. The acting is fine but the dialogue is riddled with cliches and is forced. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 04/27/25 Full Review Stoner J Fantastic political thriller/drama, and super heartbreaking Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 04/23/25 Full Review Jerod S True story of Charles Horman, who was murdered in Chile. He thought being an American would keep him safe, but that didn't work out. And though the story is wild, the movie is tame and slow. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 08/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Missing

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Cast & Crew

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Costa-Gavras

Director

Jack Lemmon

Ed Horman

Sissy Spacek

Beth Horman

John Shea

Charles "Charlie" Horman

Melanie Mayron

Terry Simon

Charles Cioffi

Captain Ray Tower

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Missing

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Movie Info

Synopsis In 1973, U.S. businessman Ed Horman (Jack Lemmon) arrives in Chile to look for his son, Charles (John Shea), a politically left-leaning journalist who disappeared during a military coup. Charles' wife, Beth (Sissy Spacek), has been looking for some time, but her requests for help from the U.S. consulate have thus far produced few results. As Ed and Beth try to figure out what really happened to Charles, Ed realizes that the American officials may know more than they're telling.
Director
Costa-Gavras
Producer
Edward Lewis, Mildred Lewis
Screenwriter
Donald Stewart, Costa-Gavras
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Universal Pictures, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 12, 1982, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 8, 2020
Runtime
2h 2m