Since debuting on Netflix on August 29, Unknown Number: The High School Catfish has been captivating viewers and currently holds the number one spot on the platform’s Top 10 list. It has all the ingredients that make it a must-see for true-crime fans, but some moments make it hard to watch, particularly because of the virtual attacks that the young teenagers at the heart of the case had to endure. When it’s revealed that the attacks came from a source much closer than anyone imagined, Unknown Number becomes an even more unsettling watch.
However, if viewers are still looking for something entertaining to watch that tackles a similar theme, but resides in the realm of fiction, the 2018 mystery thriller Searching could be right up their alley. The film tackles online deception with a unique visual aesthetic that sets it apart from the average thriller.
Directed by Aneesh Chaganty in his feature film debut and written by Chaganty and Sav Ohanian, Searching follows David Kim (John Cho), a father who embarks on a desperate search to find his missing 16-year-old daughter Margot (Michelle La). The film is unique in that it primarily tells its story through computer screens and smartphones as David delves into an online world where everything is not what it seems. In addition to Cho and La, the film also stars Debra Messing as a detective assigned to the case.
‘Searching’s Stylistic Approach Sets It Apart From Other Thrillers
Searching‘s stylistic approach proves to be its strongest attribute, as it puts the audience directly into David’s crisis of trying to locate his daughter. With the movie almost entirely taking place on computer screens and other technological devices, it adds a certain amount of intimacy and suspense that helps drive the story. It might seem tedious to watch someone opening and closing screens and diving deep into social media accounts, but the found-footage aesthetic gives the film a sense of realism that would’ve been stripped away had it been shot as a traditional motion picture. It’s only late in the game that the movie escapes the confines of what’s on the computer monitor, and by that point, it’s necessary to bring the film to its likely conclusion.
By approaching the story with very little Hollywood trappings, Searching can dig deep into the fear of not only trying to locate a missing loved one, but also the horror that comes along with the uncertainty of online activity. The internet certainly has its advantages and positive attributes, but it can also be a very dark space because people can hide behind a veil of dishonesty and secrecy. After losing his wife to lymphoma before Margot started high school, David’s relationship with his daughter grew distant. Following her disappearance, he begins to learn more about her through the online world.
Through contacting her friends online and coming across web broadcasts created by his daughter, David learns a side about her that he was unaware of. It adds an emotional layer to the story while also showcasing that sometimes kids feel more comfortable expressing themselves online to strangers rather than reaching out to family.
There is a banality to the story that serves to enhance its realism. David’s day unfolds as usual until the true horror of Margot’s disappearance is revealed. The events that take place never feel like a film, a testament to Chaganty’s directorial approach and the acting of its primary performers, particularly Cho, who, despite appearances in several high-profile films, makes the audience forget that he’s an actor playing a role. Cho’s realistic performance heightens the film’s mystery and suspense. The audience feels his growing concern when it becomes clear that a dead phone battery can’t explain why he can’t reach his daughter.
The viewer can also sense the palpable turmoil he endures when he learns things about his daughter that he was previously unaware of. During one pivotal moment, David calls her piano instructor, looking for her, believing she has a scheduled lesson, but comes to find out she had canceled all of her lessons six months prior. When he then learns that she transferred $2,500 to a Venmo account, which is now deleted, his mind is boggled by how all of this could be happening. He also has to accept the reality of his situation and try to figure out what has happened to Margot. Did she run away because the pressures of life and loss began to weigh heavily on her? Or was she abducted? That possibility leads to a terrifying realization for any parent, and such a situation could end in something far more dire.
‘Searching’ Effectively Details the Potential Dangers of Online Activity
While it won’t be revealed here, the road to Searching‘s conclusion proves to be interesting because it begins in a pretty believable place. When kids sometimes feel loss and need someone to talk to, they will reach out in an online space because there is a perceived lack of judgment. David ultimately learns that Margot had been using a streaming site to express her feelings and began an online friendship with a young girl named Hannah. Deception runs throughout this relationship, driving home the notion that people can be anyone they want behind the mask of a computer screen. They take advantage of the vulnerability of the people they’re communicating with, and Searching tackles that idea with a realistic and terrifying approach.
When Searching was released, it received rave reviews from critics, registering a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, with a consensus that reads, “Searching‘s timely premise and original execution are further bolstered by well-rounded characters brought to life by a talented cast.” The film also proved successful, grossing $26 million domestically and $75.5 million worldwide on a modest budget of $880,000. The grosses were enough to secure a sequel, with 2023’s Missing also offering a taut mystery thriller that stands on its own. Although it features a new standalone story, Missing still uses similar visual techniques that made Searching successful as June Allen (Storm Reid) tries to track down her missing mother following her disappearance in Colombia.
Films like Searching will likely remain topical for years to come because crimes perpetrated on the internet have only grown with time. Online deception continues to run rampant, leading to documentaries like Unknown Number: The High School Catfish and others being produced. No one expects all viewers to want to dive into these true crime worlds because they are often ugly. However, if they’re looking for a little fictional mystery that wraps up as the credits roll, Searching provides a solid alternative that can still lead to much-needed conversations being had about how dangerous the internet can be if it isn’t properly monitored. Searching is available to rent or buy on Prime Video and Apple TV.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
