Searching – A New Take On Storytelling In A Digital Age
After David Kim (John Cho)’s 16-year-old daughter goes missing, a local investigation is opened and a detective is assigned to the case. But 37 hours later and without a single lead, David decides to search the one place no one has looked yet, where all secrets are kept today: his daughter’s laptop. In a hyper-modern thriller told via the technology devices we use every day to communicate, David must trace his daughter’s digital footprints before she disappears forever.
Duffy’s Thoughts On Searching
I had no idea going in what Searching was about. I had seen the trailer, but it was surprising to settle into my seat and realise that I was watching a movie on the big screen through a screen for the full duration.
The first 20 minutes will be a bit disconnected for some as the screen jumps around and different accounts are opened and closed, photos are dropped into folders and Windows updates appear. The nerds in the room will chuckle at some of the in-jokes related to old technology but bear with it. Just as you start to think, ok, that’s enough, the plot takes a turn and you feel connected to the Kim family.
The storytelling can seem a little gimmicky at times, but after a while, I settled right in and began to feel the pace build and suspense grow when David’s daughter goes missing. Debra Messing does a solid job with sparse dialogue and John Cho is a believable Dad trying to find his daughter. He also seems to be ageing incredibly well. Move over 2017 Steve Carrell and hello 2018 John Cho!
There’s a plot twist I didn’t see coming and I did spot a clue at the beginning of the movie which only made sense at the end. It’s a neat little movie which is far more understated than all of the big budget blockbusters out there at the moment and will certainly spark conversation about the perils and pitfalls (mainly perils!) of living a life and oversharing on social media.
Currently sitting at 92% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Searching is out in cinemas now, book your weekend movie visit!
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