Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?
By
Joe Allen
Only a few months after it debuted in theaters, Missing is now the most popular movie on Netflix. Anyone who has seen the movie, which focuses on a teenage girl who discovers that her mother has been kidnapped while on vacation and races to figure out what happened, understands why it’s managed to climb so high on the streaming service’s charts.
It’s a mystery worth watching, and many Netflix viewers seem to have figured that out. Here are five reasons the movie has managed to become such a Netflix phenomenon, and why you should watch it.
It has a unique storytelling structure
Missing is not the first movie to tell its story entirely within the confines of a screen. In fact, it’s a sort of sideways sequel to Searching, a similar movie that was released in 2018. There’s a whole subgenre of thriller and horror movies called screenlife that focuses the narrative on computer, mobile phone, and/or tablet screens. Some popular examples of this type of film include the 2014 B-movie Unfriended and last year’s critically acclaimed movie We’re All Going to the World’s Fair.
Even so, Missing remains unusual both because it’s set entirely on screens, and because that storytelling device doesn’t limit the story’s scope at all. Instead, it serves as a reminder that so many of the ways we connect with one another today are through our screens, giving the movie an entirely distinct look and feel.
Missing is full of twists you never see coming
One of the main reasons that Missing has proven to be such a tremendous success is that it knows to dole out one twist approximately every 15 minutes. These twists don’t just complicate what we thought we were watching, they add new layers of meaning to the story as it unfolds.
Even better, none of these twists feel out of place. They’re surprising without feeling absurd, and as a result, they’re exactly the kind of hook that keeps audiences watching from moment to moment.
The movie gives Storm Reid a great showcase for her talent
Because this movie is set almost entirely on screens, we have to spend a lot of time watching Storm Reid, the movie’s star, as she reacts to new developments and continues searching for her mom.
Thankfully, Reid is a hugely compelling actor and the perfect young star to build a movie like this around. Reid has already had roles in shows like Euphoria and The Last of Us, but Missing proves that she’s a major talent worth watching as she ages into her full star power.
Missing has a great ending
Given the number of twists featured in Missing, it would be highly possible for the movie to fall flat on its face when it attempted to wrap its story up. Thankfully, that is not a problem Missing has.
In fact, Missing‘s ending is so perfectly set up by the little details that we pick up on earlier that the closer you watch the movie, the better. In addition to bringing a satisfying end to the mystery, though, Missing also packs an emotional wallop in its final moments that will definitely make you appreciate your mom more than you already do.
It’s under two hours
On top of its many other wonderful qualities, Missing also comes in at 111 minutes, nine minutes under the two-hour mark. That makes it an ideal movie to watch on a normal movie night. Given the number of twists it packs into that running time, most viewers are likely to feel like it’s a good return on their time investment.
It’s a well-acted, satisfying mystery that sticks that landing and tells its story in an unusual way, andit does all that in under two hours. When you think about it like that, it’s no wonder the movie’s popular.
Missing is currently streaming on Netflix. For more Missing content, please read DT’s interview with Missing‘s editors and 5 movies like Missing.
Editors’ Recommendations
-
Heat is one of the best movies ever. Here’s why you should watch it on Netflix right now -
5 movies you need to watch in June 2023 -
7 underrated action movies from the 1990s you need to watch -
7 obscure sci-fi movies from the 1980s you need to watch -
Han Solo is the best sci-fi character ever. Here’s why
Joe Allen is a freelance writer based in upstate New York focused on movies and TV.
5 TV shows like Sweet Tooth you should watch
When it first hit Netflix in 2021, Sweet Tooth instantly became one of the more beloved shows on the streaming service. Set in a dystopian future in which a virus has wiped out most of humanity and also created a new species, the series is essentially a lone wolf and cub story in which a gruff protector must defend a child who is being hunted.
That kind of story shouldn’t feel unfamiliar to anyone experienced with the world of science fiction, and in fact, there are plenty of great shows you can watch that have plenty in common with Sweet Tooth. Here are five shows you can check out when you’re all caught up on the first season, as well as the new season that’s just hit Netflix.
5 movies you need to watch in May 2023
2023 is now one-third of the way complete, and so far, the year has provided a series of entertaining movies that have made headlines. April belonged to The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which should hit the $1 billion milestone at the box office by the first week of May. April also featured more wide releases (15), including Air and Evil Dead Rise, than in 2019 (11) before the pandemic, signaling a sign of normalcy.
May is now the start of summer blockbuster season as Marvel will kick off the month with the ending of one of its most famous trilogies. Other movies on tap for May include a thriller from a famous pop star, a live-action remake of a Disney classic, and the next entry into The Fast Saga. Here are five movies you need to watch in May.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (May 5)
Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 | Official Trailer
2023 NFL Draft live stream: Watch from anywhere for free
The 2023 NFL Draft is taking place in Kansas City, and it’s a great opportunity for football fans to catch a glimpse of the new additions to their team. The draft takes place from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29. The television broadcast is being covered by three networks — ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network — with each providing its own unique commentators and insights. If you’re wondering how to watch the 2023 NFL Draft online, there are several ways to do so, including several of the best live TV streaming services. We’ve rounded up the best places to watch, including several ways to watch the NFL Draft for free. We’ve even got details on how to watch the draft if you’re outside the United States come draft time.
Watch the 2023 NFL Draft live stream on Sling TV
Sling TV is a good choice for taking in the NFL Draft this weekend, as it provides access to both ESPN and the NFL Network under one subscription plan. The Sling Blue plan is where you’ll find each hot these networks, and it includes plenty of other channels sports lovers will like, such as ESPN2, TNT, and Fox Sports 1. A major draw for Sling TV subscribers is its simplicity, as its user interface resembles cable TV, but there’s none of the hassles that come with a cable subscription. Sling also offers a Sling Orange plan that offers some additional sports channels, or you can combine Blue and Orange to gain all of the networks in Sling’s channel lineup.
