Searching
Description
This nail-biting debut by Aneesh Chaganty, is a fresh and innovative film told exclusively through computer screens. 16-year-old Margot (breakout actress Michelle La) can’t emotionally connect with her dad, David (a charismatic John Cho), who has been withdrawn and overprotective since her mother passed away. When Margot goes missing, David is aided by Detective Vick (Debra Messing) but ultimately must rely on his own search skills to find his missing daughter before it’s too late. Winner of the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize at Sundance.
“[Searching]’s rhythm and pacing stand out, from the way the camera punches in and moves around computer screens to the way it creatively adds new angles to the mix, while still adhering to its basic conceit. More often than not, the fact that we’re watching an ersatz computer screen falls away completely, leaving only the drama of David’s search. It feels impressively cinematic, which is no small feat, given the stylistic limitations. Cho also delivers a strong performance, capturing the denial, grief, and anger David experiences as the situation with his daughter becomes increasingly more dire.” – Bryan Bishop, The Verge
“The massively clever [Searching] draws significant suspense from two modern anxieties: We’re spending too much time on our devices, and parents don’t really know what their kids are up to. Taking place entirely on computer screens, this mystery-thriller gains emotional heft thanks to an agonized performance from John Cho as a widowed father trying to track down his missing daughter. The movie’s arresting visual conceit has enough flexibility to sustain interest, even if the story’s twists and turns sometimes feel excessively fiendish.” – Tim Grierson, Screen Daily
Among his achievements, Aneesh Chaganty made more than 10 shorts while studying at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts; his 2014 Google Glass spot, “Seeds,” garnered over one million YouTube views within 48 hours of its premiere; and he directed and developed commercials as one of the Google 5, who were tapped by the company to enhance and shape the Google brand. In addition to winning the Sloan prize at Sundance, Searching also won the festival’s Best of Next! audience award. Searching was originally conceived as a short, and when a feature was suggested instead, Chaganty was initially hesitant until he and cowriter Sev Ohanian cracked the story. “All of a sudden we had this idea that didn’t feel like a gimmick anymore, that felt like we were using something to make a commentary about the way we live our lives but also something that was extremely emotionally engaging and cinematic most of all.” (monstersandcritics.com)
Film Details
Language English
Year 2018
Runtime 101
Country USA
Director Aneesh Chaganty
Producer Timur Bekmambetov, Sev Ohanian, Adam Sidman, Natalie Qasabian
Writer Aneesh Chaganty, Sev Ohanian
Editor Will Merrick, Nick Johnson
Cinematographer Juan Sebastian Baron
Music Torin Borrowdale
Cast John Cho, Debra Messing, Michelle La