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Johnson Thomas

Aneesh Chaganty’s fluid outpouring of suspense and innovation hinges around a father-daughter tale. Though set largely within the computer screen, this film has strong emotional attachment going for it. The first-time filmmaker, who formerly made Google commercials, makes an impressively poised and assured debut with this film about a missing female teen and the search that takes place following her disappearance- with strong elements of crime and drama slithering through the complex, inveigling narrative in utmost ease. It’s a novel, craftily designed, well-constructed and consummately enacted thriller.

Chaganty’s cinematic form is representative of contemporary life—the digital screen we increasingly use to share our thoughts, feelings and actions. So when widower David Kim’s (John Cho) daughter Margot (Michelle La) goes missing, following a study group session at a friend’s, the anxious father scours through social media and found footage to get into the slyly framed web-of-clues that could lead-up to the reason for her disappearance. Using fresh and original elements in telling this story, Chaganty ratchets up suspense and affect with the assurance of a master craftsman. Almost everything here is framed on a computer screen, seen through a web camera, streaming on a live channel or reviewed from surveillance cameras. 

The screen life mimics the reality of the day, which involves a series of gadgets that our lifestyle hinges on. While Chaganty, co-writer Sev Ohanian and editors Will Merrick and Nick Johnson adeptly pour on their expertise in what seems like redefining the very medium of storytelling, actors John Cho, Debra Messing, Michelle La, Joseph Lee, Sara Sohn and the rest make the attachment strongly emotive.