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Missing

Play trailer Poster for Missing PG Released Feb 12, 1982 2h 2m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
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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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 Michael H Brilliant film. All performances are layered and subtle. First Film where Jack Lemmon started pulling things back and became the genius actor that he was in his later years. Everything after this film he was excellent in. Except those Grumpy Old Man films. (grandkids money movies). Sissy Spacek pulled off a terrific follow up to her performance in COAL MINERS DAUGHTER. Also Oscar nominated here. The Music and Script are out of the world. So many moments of the films images have haunted and stuck w/m me throughout my life. How could this happen to people, how could these American Embassy People and contracted worked and Government workers there to aid American citizens - Sacrifice their own so easily and lie to the families faces so blatantly and be the main problem instead of being part of the resolve. After seeing these people up close, in my own life and work, these covert operatives in our own government. How money rules above everything else. 'It's about Faith. Faith in what? "Truth". Just Brilliant. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/28/23 Full Review Leaburn O Excellent acting all round as this political thriller brings Pinochet's brutal Chilean coup to life. Equal part intriguing and scary, this was a story worth telling. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/29/23 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