MISSING

Another cheap and easy to make film the studio is hoping to cash in on. A sequel to 2018's SEARCHING that no one asked for (and the original didn't set the world on fire either). But again, this is a cheap film to make as it's told exclusively through electronics, Mac computer, iPhone, Facetime, Whatsapp, etc. so making a profit shouldn't be entirely too difficult. However, this is the opposite of SEARCHING where the teenager, in this case June (Storm Reid) is attempting to find her mother Grace (Nia Long), who went to Columbia on vacation with her boyfriend Kevin (Ken Leung). Scheduled to pick them up at LAX and the couple no showing, June becomes suspicious as she cannot contact her mother but only Kevin. In doing so she untangles a yarn of lies and deception, going as far back as 12-years ago. Much like it's predecessor the film attempts to be smarter than it is. A few threads I was able to get there before the film gets you there, which is made easier with such a limited cast. Some of the themes are not surprising as they seem to be all Hollywood is hammering out these days (very heavy-handily I might add). Not worth taking the flyer on, even when it exits theaters. 4.5/10