To be honest, I wasn't familiar with “Missing” until I saw it was available on Netflix a few days ago. Thrillers like this can be hit or miss, but the idea of a screen-based mystery intrigued me enough to give it a try. Because by the end I was hooked.

The film follows a perceptive and resourceful teenager who uses his technical skills to investigate his mother's sudden disappearance while traveling abroad. What unfolds is a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat thriller that takes the concept of “Searching” (its spiritual predecessor) and takes it to another level.

“Missing” may not revolutionize the mystery thriller genre, but it excels at engaging audiences with gut-wrenching twists and a truly compelling conclusion. No wonder viewers gave it high marks on Rotten Tomatoes. Sadly, this gem of a film will soon be leaving the big red streaming service. The film “Missing” is a gripping screen-based mystery thriller that unfolds through digital devices such as laptops, cell phones, and cameras. When June Allen (Storm Reid), a tech-savvy teenager, embarks on a frantic online search for her mother Grace (Nia Long) after she disappears while on vacation in Colombia with her new boyfriend Kevin (Ken Leung), she is forced to confront the reality that her mother's life is in danger. [As she pieced together clues using email, social media, surveillance camera footage, and other online tools, June discovered shocking secrets about her mother, Kevin, and their lives. It's an incredibly engaging film that offers a commentary on how we deal with modern technology.

“Missing” is a surprising and twisty thriller with a perfect mystery. It knows how to build genuine suspense through text messages and camera footage, and it all comes down to June piecing together clues on her laptop. If you only hear that premise, it may sound like a tedious attempt at found footage, but I can assure you that it is not.

The film truly feels like it is speaking to our times. Missing is perfect for those of us who love to play detective on social media. If you've ever been obsessed with the TikTok detective trying to solve an online mystery or the detective pointing out every detail of a crime podcast, this film is for you. Each twist is truly surprising, but nothing feels out of place. Even with the shocking twists and turns, the story is put together in a way that makes sense.

Of course, I don't want to spoil anything. You need to experience the entire plot for yourself. But “Missing” has many elements that make it a very competent thriller. It takes a small, personal story and makes it into something global. The international element of the film's back-and-forth between Los Angeles and Colombia creates this exciting, globe-trotting atmosphere, while keeping the audience engaged in the emotional journey of June, the panicked daughter trying to find her mother. [Directors Will Merrick and Nicholas Johnson have successfully cracked the code for making a film as engaging as this one through the screen. They succeed in turning a seemingly impersonal medium into one of the most suspenseful thrillers I've seen in a while.

I'm not the only one who thinks this mystery thriller is worth seeing. Missing has an 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 90% audience rating.

Joshua Polansky of Boston Hustle says: “It's as immersive as an endless Twitter thread late on a Sunday night.” [15] Meanwhile, Aaron White of the Feirin Film Podcast says: “With multiple breathtaking twists, truly unpredictable and this masterfully edited story, told entirely through technology screens, is an unsettling thriller that goes a little off the rails at the end, but is exciting and engaging from start to finish.”

Viewers were equally impressed, with some saying, “It's a really great movie” and “I loved how unpredictable it was.” Others said, “It's great to see June solve everything so efficiently:” and “I would 100% recommend it to anyone to watch on a boring Sunday night.” I agree.

“Missing” is one of those rare thrillers that keeps you guessing from beginning to end while delivering a deeply satisfying story. With its unpredictable twists and turns and fast-paced detective work, it's no wonder viewers appreciate this film so much. However, it won't be available on Netflix for much longer, as it will end its Netflix run on November 20.

If you're a fan of mysteries, thrillers, or smart, contemporary filmmaking, this is your chance to stream the film before it disappears. It's worth a watch, believe me. You may look at your device a little differently afterwards.

Stream “Missing” on Netflix through November 20.