January 20, 2023

Missing Is The Latest Movie Examining The Role Tech Plays In Our Lives

A movie about AI, aliens, and social media? Sounds like a must-see! 

Missing” is the latest tech thriller to hit our screens. The film, written and directed by Nick Johnson and Will Merrick, explores the story of June – played by Storm Reid (Euphoria) – who is on a quest to find her mother after her strange disappearance while on vacation in Colombia. 

The film, currently out in cinemas, includes a star-studded lineup of talents such as Nia Long – who plays June’s mother – Megan Suri, Ken Leung, Daniel Henney, and Thomas Barbusca.

Despite not knowing much about her mum’s whereabouts, June later discovers that her impressive tech-savvy skills combined with the use of security cameras can help save lives, literally.  

Despite not knowing much about her mum’s whereabouts, June discovers that her impressive tech-savvy skills combined with the use of security cameras can help save lives, literally.  The audience is taken on an over-the-shoulder journey as June dives deeper into the net to save her mother from danger. 

“We do live in the era of social media, so I think people are going to be able to recognize the social media platforms that she’s using. It will make them feel a bit more part of the journey when trying to figure this mystery out,” said Storm Reid in an interview. 

The entire movie was filmed through a computer screen, from TikTok videos to FaceTime and surveillance videos. AI chatbox, ChatGPT, also made an uncanny appearance too, not just in production but as a character.

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Although the added digital effects made this movie a more accurate depiction of modern-day life, it made the filming process a lot more complicated.

“I started to make friends with the idea that all of these different devices served as additional characters, and once I leaned into that, it freed me to trust the process,” added Reid.  

“Missing” not only explores our overreliance on technology for crucial information. It also shows us that the internet can be a hotbed for misinformation which is equally as disturbing.

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Kumba Kpakima

Kumba Kpakima is a reporter at POCIT. A documentary about the knife crime epidemic in the UK got her a nomination for the UK's #30toWatch Young Journalists of the Year.