Film Review: Searching

When is a gimmick not a gimmick? Aneesh Chaganty answers this question with his slick and thrilling directing debut Searching, the second film of the summer with Asians in lead roles. A straightforward mystery of a father in search of his missing daughter, Searching is a nimble and sharp story told through the lens of modern technology - the entire film is conveyed through screens, UIs, and cameras. A concept that easily could have come across as cheap and tacky instead elevates the film in ways that are exciting and surprisingly moving. Buoyed by a magnetic John Cho, the film is deeper and more thoughtful than your average cyber-thriller. Mild spoilers ahead…