Literally Changing All My Passwords Now – 'Missing' Review

This mystery-thriller set on a desktop is so well done, the power of tech makes me sweat.

I knew the moment the movie finished, Missing was going to be an incredibly fun film to write about, but I can’t actually say too much without giving anything away.

Rest assured, I’m going to tell you the reason why I think this movie such a fun watch and just how clever it is in telling a story and building character in such a unique setting – a computer screen.

Missing is not the first movie of its kind. Missing is actually a standalone sequel to the 2018 film Searching, making up part of a relatively new genre of film called ‘screenlife’. GQ describes screenlife as types of films which ‘explore how our digital personas differ from who we are offscreen’. Audiences are invited into the protagonist’s world by sharing the same screen as them, and as my first screenlife film, I’m so intrigued to watch more.

And oh boy, this worked so well.

In the least spoilery way possible, Missing is about 18-year-old June Allen. Her mother Grace goes on a trip to Colombia with her boyfriend Kevin, but when they both don’t return to meet June at the airport… things start to spiral out of control.

June initially couldn’t be more excited to have the house to herself and get her mum off her back. A great early example of learning more about June through her computer is when her mum FaceTimes her to remind her about what to do while she is away.

June pretends to type notes on her computer, and just types something along the lines of aljksdzfnlsdfnjb – hilarious. We’ve all been there pretending we’re doing something and looking busy (don’t deny it).

When June starts searching for her mum, I was almost scared at how easily she was able to access accounts, and how much info she could get with little to go on. Missing really showcases just how powerful technology can be in both the right and wrong hands. From working out passwords to contacting people to access places she couldn’t, I was impressed… but terrified.

You can’t help but want to read and look at everything on her screen. You feel almost nosey being able to see what apps she has installed, what she’s renamed some of her fave websites as (i.e. ‘blackbored’ instead of Blackboard.com, because honestly – same).

Her internal dialogue and train of thought is portrayed so cleverly particularly when she begins typing in search terms, or starts to make notes of clues to where her mother could be.

When she’s scrolling through messages, I couldn’t help but want to read the previews of other messages underneath the one she was reading. Sorry not sorry.

Wondering why June might look familiar?

Storm Reid has been shining in several big projects in the last few years, including A Wrinkle in Time, Rue’s little sister in Euphoria, and will next week play Ellie’s friend Riley in the next episode of The Last of Us.

She’s definitely one to look out for, and really takes you through the emotional rollercoaster of June throughout the film. No spoilers, but she kills it in the film’s heart-pumping final act.

Missing was such an entertaining watch. If anything, I thought it was maybe a tad long, but there’s some great little twists that throw you off the scent, and it’s such a testament to how brilliant the screenlife genre is.

I’m keen for a rewatch to pick up on all the clues I missed… maybe after I reassess my whole digital footprint. BRB.

Looking forward to solving the Missing mystery with your mates? Don’t forget to grab your $12.50 Hoyts tix!

Header image: Sony Pictures.