Searching's told-through-a-screen story could have so very easily become a contrivance, a cheap gimmick that attempts to distract from an otherwise generic thriller. Instead, Aneesh Chaganty's directorial debut sinks its teeth into an interesting premise that would, importantly, stand on its own as a taut thriller without the central gadgetry to set it apart from the crowd.
When David Kim's (John Cho) daughter goes missing, he is forced to retrace her last-known steps in his search for clues into her disappearance. As part of the investigation led by Detective Rosemary Vicks (Debra Messing), David makes some startling discoveries while tracing Margot's (Michelle La) social media footprint, forcing him to question whether he really knew his daughter after all.
Thoroughly engrossing and utterly compelling, Searching is a terrifically-tight, tense and taut thriller that utilises its unique style and approach to enhance the central mystery, rather than using it to distract from any narrative deficiencies. From beginning to end, we are pulled into a fantastically-crafted and contemporary exploration of social media, technology and the malleable identities we can cultivate online. Able to stand on its own as a mystery-thriller, the 'shown through a screen' element seeks to strengthen the thematic content of Searching, allowing the narrative to make bold subversions without being tied to any strict genre conventions.
Chaganty's ambitious execution is clear to see, with his direction paying close attention to detail and, as closely as can be expected, reality. Matched with sharp editing from Nick Johnson and Will Merrick, as well as Torin Borrowdale's lively score which incorporates recognisable sounds to enrich the experience, what could have been a cheap vision is really rather well accomplished indeed.
Through his screenplay, co-written with Sev Ohanian, he weaves a detailed web that ensnares the characters in more than a simple 'whodunnit' affair, maintaining the investigation so it is packed with twists and turns; just when you see yourself one step ahead of the curve, the script surprises you, keeping you firmly on your toes and planted at the edge of your seat. Additionally, the heavier dramatic weight - including an opening sequence that rivals the emotional power of Disney Pixar's Up's opening scene - and thematic relevancy are both eye-opening and timely, creating an overall film that is incredibly 'of the moment' (despite some dated visuals along the way that, thankfully, do not hold the film back, especially when you consider how time-consuming the process must have been).
While the major issue of Searching comes down to how frequently it relies on exposition, this is to be expected: a solid half of the detail contained within the film is delivered through character's personal messages and their online interactions, as opposed to spoken dialogue - although the dialogue does increase in frequency as the investigation develops. And despite remaining fantastically tense until the very final minutes, some may find themselves disappointed with the admittedly corny conclusion, which is framed almost slightly too tweely for it to land with the emotional-punch developed throughout the 102-minute feature.
John Cho is impressive in the lead role, engaging and riveting as we witness every parent's worst nightmare unfold. He dials up the intensity brilliantly over the course of the film, helping to facilitate the film's well-sustained pace with vigour and energy. You truly believe in his building agitation, and while many actors may find the film's conceit a hinderance, Cho relishes the opportunity to play with this distinctive set-up. Debra Messing is solid support for Cho, with a cool composure that she allows to slowly slip as the suspense rises well into the third and final act.
Searching is a terrific little find, an effective mystery-thriller that avoids relying on its central premise to do the heavy lifting, crafting an intense, suitably fraught piece that examines our use of social media, portrayal of identity and how loss shapes the family dynamic. Aneesh Chaganty's impressive directorial debut benefits from a formidable lead performance from John Cho and his own screenplay, which faulters rarely. It's not without a few bumps in the road but for a debut effort and on a( presumably) shoestring budget, it is a technically-impressive and confident piece. An accomplished surprise, search for Searching at your local cineplex; it really is worth signing in for.
★★★★★★★★☆☆
(8/10)
Summary: Searching never uses its unique 'told-through-a-screen' conceit simply as a gimmick, instead crafting a tight, taut, tense and technically-impressive thriller that shocks and surprises at every turn, bolstered by a compelling lead performance from John Cho.