Searching

Everything around us needs to keep up with the times, and this certainly applies to cinema as well. Searching is not just an ordinary detective story; it presents a truly unconventional viewing experience through a computer screen. Initially, it felt like a failed Canadian prank, but it has its own charm. It makes one realize how interconnected today’s world is through the internet and social networks, along with the associated potential threats. I must commend the lead actor's performance; throughout the film, the viewer only sees his face, so it’s immediately clear whether he’s overacting or not. However, John Cho’s brilliant performance quickly dispelled that concern. Despite the fact that the audience only views computer screens, the story offers a series of luxurious twists that had me on the edge of my seat, one after another (especially the first twist was a real knockout, wow…). I would have fine-tuned the ending a bit differently, but that doesn’t take away from the undeniable qualities of this intriguing film. I give it 83%. (25/01/2019)

John Cho finds out that his daughter is missing and now he tries to find her with the help of the police. A rather ordinary plot? Maybe, but The Search is definitely not an ordinary movie. The fact that it's shot entirely on cell phone or computer cameras, and we see what's happening on a laptop screen instead of a traditional manhunt, makes it something a little different. And it works surprisingly well in the thriller genre. The Search is an interesting, but above all suspenseful and cleverly conceived film that you definitely shouldn't miss. (15/02/2019)

I'll watch Searching quietly and happily a few more times. And for several reasons. The first is the original portrayal, which surprisingly also carries with it a lot of emotion. You only see the computer screen, you only hear the sounds coming from the person looking into the computer, and yet you can understand exactly how to feel. On the one hand, it's eerily true to our times, but on the other hand, it's brilliant. The way the filmmakers came up with the finale thrilled me a little less, hence the star down. But I still think it's one of the most important films of last year. (22/01/2019)

The surprise of the year and one of the best crime-media-social thrillers ever. The entire film takes place on a PC desktop, and sometimes with the help of a camera or mobile phone, which adds greatly to the authenticity and believability. It tells the story of a little girl who mysteriously disappears and her father tries to find out what happened to her. He learns information that he had absolutely no idea about his daughter and at times the film is really emotionally devastating. Praise must also go to the screenwriter who prepared a nice dose of brutal twists (all unexpected and shocking at the same time). But the biggest applause goes to the final denouement in the style of Saw, which left me almost breathless and I can't remember the last time I saw such an incredibly sophisticated, over-the-top, authentic thriller. Very gppd, incredibly gripping, engaging and uncompromisingly playing with the viewer. John Cho was very good. Bravo! 90% (16/10/2018)

Interesting experiment. Formally, it’s very good, even though the tone is quite ambiguous and the revelation of the mystery perhaps is too wannabe shocking. But as a portrayal of the stupid social networks and their users (yeah, I’m one of them), and the social numbness of today, It’s certainly effective and realistic. (21/11/2018)