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

Screem Gems

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.

Searching

Release Date

August 24, 2018

Runtime

104minutes

Director

Aneesh Chaganty

• 

• 

Anime has rapidly become one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the world, naturally leading many to wonder what the best anime for beginners are. The medium has a long and storied history, with some series quite difficult for new viewers to get into due to references to other anime, cultural differences, and quirks of the medium.

However, just because some anime might be difficult to understand for new viewers doesn’t mean all anime are. The best anime for beginners covers universal themes that any viewer should be able to get behind. These series range from action to romance to thrillers to comedy, delivering a wide variety of anime sure to fit any one person’s tastes.

Bleach

Bleach is a long-running shonen anime series, adapted from the manga by Tite Kubo. Bleach follows Ichigo Kurosaki, a boy who can see spirits, as he’s suddenly thrust into the role of a Soul Reaper, whose job is to fight dangerous negative spirits known as Hollows and guide righteous spirits to the afterlife.

When Ichigo’s friend Rukia is punished for giving him her power, he goes on an extreme mission to rescue her, pitting him against other Soul Reapers so powerful that he can scarcely imagine it.

Bleach is a long series, and it has more than its share of filler (and Bleach filler you can and should skip). Still, it’s a perfect representative of what a shonen series can be like, full of exciting battles, insane powers, and dramatic turns in the plot that change everything.

Pluto

Pluto is a series based on a manga by Naoki Urasawa, which is in turn an adaptation of a story arc from Osamu Tezuka’s original Astro Boy. That gives Pluto strong ties to the very foundations of anime as a medium, and the story has persisted for so long because it’s just that entertaining.

The story follows Gesicht, a robot detective, tracking a serial killer of both robots and humans who leaves a bizarre trademark: objects jammed into their heads, as if to look like horns.

Pluto is a beautifully animated new series, and its mystery is a compelling one, with a story worthy of standing alongside classics of the sci-fi genre. It tackles the ideas of robots and humans and what separates the two, but does so in unusual and innovative ways that make it stand out.

Neon Genesis Evangelion

Neon Genesis Evangelion is an infamous anime series by Gainax that delves deeply into psychology and bizarre symbolism. On an Earth that’s under endless assault by beings known as Angels, Shinji Ikari is recruited by his estranged father to serve as a pilot for an EVA, a kind of bio-robot designed specifically to kill Angels.

Shinji has little desire to fight, but circumstances force him to take part, with disastrous consequences. Joined by the emotionless girl Rei and the fiery Asuka, Shinji is the front line of defense against the Angels, but are these kids really equipped for what they’re about to experience?

Evangelion is admittedly a deconstruction of the mecha genre’s tropes, and is thus enhanced by some familiarity with other mecha series. However, it can just as easily be watched and enjoyed by those who have no experience with mecha at all, as its focus on characters and their psychologies is what’s really important.

Berserk

Berserk is a dark fantasy anime series based on Kentaro Miura’s manga of the same name. It’s from the 1990s, but don’t let the age scare you away, as it’s widely regarded as an excellent anime.

The story follows Guts, a swordsman who joins a mercenary group known as the Hawks, led by Griffith. Guts earns their trust, but eventually decides to go his own way, prompting Griffith to make a terrible mistake that sends the course of both of their lives, and the fate of the world, into turmoil.

Berserk is extremely dark and deals with graphic content that may be disturbing to some, such as sexual assault and torture. However, for those who enjoy darker fantasy stories, Berserk is renowned for its high-quality character development and a compelling story that dissects the quest for revenge.

Delicious in Dungeon

Delicious in Dungeon is a unique fantasy anime based on a manga by Ryoko Kui. It follows Laios, a young adventurer whose sister was eaten by a dragon, but might still be alive.

Questing to save her with little resources, Laios, Chilchuck, and Marcille head into the dungeon, planning to eat monsters to stay alive (which Laios is secretly excited for). On the way, they meet Senshi, a Dwarf who specializes in cooking monster meat, and together they resolve to delve deep and save Laios’ sister before it’s too late.

Delicious in Dungeon’s gimmick of cooking monsters is an amusing one that gives it a tone quite unlike any other fantasy anime. The characters are quite lovable, and the series draws heavily from Western fantasy sources, such as Dungeons and Dragons, making it relatively easy for those unfamiliar with anime to watch.

Mob Psycho 100

Mob Psycho 100 is a perfect introduction to the world of anime. The series focuses on a young boy named Mob whose psychic powers are so immense that he has to close off his emotions to avoid setting them off. Together with his conman mentor Reigen, Mob battles evil spirits and other psychics obsessed with world domination.

More so than almost any other anime, Mob Psycho 100 is a series that balances action, humor, and heart. The bond between Mob and Reigen is genuinely sweet and is sure to resonate with new fans of anime.

Jujutsu Kaisen

Currently one of the most popular anime series, Jujutsu Kaisen is easily approachable for beginning anime fans. The series follows a young man named Yuji who is inducted into a secret society of sorcerers who are involved in a never-ending quest to destroy cursed spirits.

Right alongside current hits like Demon Slayer and My Hero Academia, Jujutsu Kaisen is undeniably responsible for ushering in a new generation of anime fans with its thrilling fights and breathtaking animation. Beginning anime fans certainly can’t go wrong with Jujutsu Kaisen.

Hunter x Hunter

Hunter x Hunter is a beloved shōnen series about a young boy named Gon who uses the search for his father as a springboard to become a Hunter and go on an adventure. With a lovable cast of characters and an approachable story, Hunter x Hunter is easy to jump into without much knowledge of other anime.

The series is well-paced, as well, starting rather simply before unveiling one of the most intricate and fascinating power systems in anime history. Potential anime fans who want an entry point into classic shōnen battle anime shouldn’t pass up Hunter x Hunter.

Pokémon

Custom Image by Diana Acuña

One of the longest-running anime series ever, it’s no understatement to say that Pokémon is at least partially responsible for anime growing as popular as it is outside of Japan. Despite its lengthy episode count, each season of Pokémon is largely standalone, so new viewers can jump into the charming and simplistic series at any point.

Pokémon is especially beginner-friendly thanks to its recent soft reboot, Pokémon Horizons, so new fans can get into the series there and see why it’s been so beloved for decades without getting bogged down by what little continuity there is.

One Piece

Another long-running anime that’s easy to recommend for beginners is One Piece. With its goofy characters combined with surprisingly mature, intense writing and fight scenes, One Piece has long been established as one of the best and notorious anime in the entire world.

With over 1000 episodes, One Piece certainly does warrant a lot of investment on the part of the viewer, but the incredible story it tells makes that more than worthwhile. The incredibly vibrant art and animation of recent One Piece seasons have done a lot to sell its strengths to its best degree in years.