Missing (2023) is a gripping screen-based thriller that masterfully updates the 'searching' subgenre for the digital age. The film follows June, a sharp-witted teenager whose mother disappears while on vacation in Colombia with a new boyfriend. Faced with international bureaucracy and physical distance, June turns detective using every digital tool at her disposal—from social media and mapping apps to encrypted messaging and live streams. What begins as a straightforward missing persons case quickly spirals into a complex web of deception, raising disturbing questions about what her mother was really doing in South America.

Directors Nick Johnson and Will Merrick craft a remarkably tense narrative that unfolds entirely through computer and smartphone screens. This innovative format creates an immersive, real-time feel that pulls viewers directly into June's investigation. Storm Reid delivers a compelling performance as June, balancing teenage vulnerability with determined resourcefulness as she navigates foreign consulates, shady digital contacts, and her own growing fears. The supporting cast, including Nia Long as the missing mother, adds emotional depth to the high-tech mystery.

Missing stands out for its clever use of contemporary technology as both plot device and visual style. The film transforms familiar apps and interfaces into sources of suspense, making digital breadcrumbs feel as thrilling as physical clues. With its tight pacing, believable twists, and timely commentary on digital privacy and international travel, Missing offers a fresh take on the thriller genre. Viewers should watch this film for its inventive storytelling, strong central performance, and the way it turns our everyday digital reality into a landscape of genuine suspense and mystery.