Searching

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PG-13

Released Aug 31, 2018

1h 42m

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

92%

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261 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

David Kim becomes desperate when his 16-year-old daughter Margot disappears and an immediate police investigation leads nowhere. He soon decides to search the one place that no one else has -- Margot's laptop. Hoping to trace her digital footprints, David contacts her friends and looks at photos and videos for any possible clues to her whereabouts.

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Critics Consensus

Searching's timely premise and original execution are further bolstered by well-rounded characters brought to life by a talented cast.

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Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

A mystery that’s far meatier than its virtual framing would suggest.

Sep 14, 2022

Full Review

Andrea Gronvall

Chicago Reader

Shot mostly with iPhones and GoPro cameras, the movie is visually drab and a little too gimmicky - ultimately it's a stunt, albeit an engrossing one.

Mar 20, 2020

Full Review

Roxana Hadadi

Chesapeake Family Magazine

Searching follows Eighth Grade as another thought-provoking film about the intersection between teens' lives and their presence-and reliance-on social media.

Rated: 3.5/5

Sep 21, 2018

Full Review

Ankit Ojha

Cinema Elite

Going against the Heightened Realism 101 rulebook in films of this kind, Chaganty underlines his storytelling with a terrific score and appropriate rhythm-heavy editing.

Rated: 4.5/5

Jul 9, 2024

Full Review

Kate Boyle

InSession Film

The writing is amazing, the use of technology is great, and it doesn't feel cheesy as it has in past films.

Jul 8, 2024

Full Review

Elisa Guimarães

Collider

Searching is an unnerving and touching movie that goes well beyond the gimmick of being told through a computer screen.

Feb 1, 2024

Full Review

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Aidan B

A unique, gripping, and heart-string tugging thriller that stands among the best.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/22/24

Full Review

Audience Member

I don’t normally write reviews but wow, what a load of kack. Poor acting, poorer storyline, please don’t waste your time.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/05/24

Full Review

Casey A

Debra messing ruins anything she's on!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/22/24

Full Review

Daniel T

Mind blowing show. Kept me at the edge of the seat throughout. Didn’t expect such an ending! Great acting!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/07/24

Full Review

Mike H

I’m not particularly a fan of the computer based point of view, but this one works. Very well acted. The characters are built properly and I became very invested in them all. The ending seems abrupt as if they possibly changed it? However it works and I enjoyed it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/10/24

Full Review

Elena R

amazing movie. 10/10. great and unexpected plot twists and an extremely creative format, with a bit of suspense too!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/01/24

Full Review

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Aneesh Chaganty

Director

John Cho

David Kim

Debra Messing

Detective Vick

Joseph Lee

Peter

Michelle La

Margot

Sara Sohn

Pamela Nam Kim

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Synopsis

David Kim becomes desperate when his 16-year-old daughter Margot disappears and an immediate police investigation leads nowhere. He soon decides to search the one place that no one else has -- Margot's laptop. Hoping to trace her digital footprints, David contacts her friends and looks at photos and videos for any possible clues to her whereabouts.

Director: Aneesh Chaganty
Producer: Timur Bekmambetov, Sev Ohanian, Adam Sidman, Natalie Qasabian
Screenwriter: Aneesh Chaganty, Sev Ohanian
Distributor: Stage 6, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Screen Gems
Production Co: Bazelevs Production, Stage 6 Films, Screen Gems
Rating: PG-13 (Some Drug References|Language|Some Sexual References|Thematic Content)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 31, 2018, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 13, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $26.0M
Runtime: 1h 42m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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