"Missing You" received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised its production, lyrics, and Stranger Things references.

The singer also released an animated music video drawn by comic book artist Kevin Wada, which stars a gender ambiguous protagonist.

[8] On the series, the character is involved in a love triangle between herself, her crush Jonathan Byers (Charlie Heaton) and her current boyfriend Steve Harrington (Joe Keery).

[21] AllMusic reviewer Matt Collar wrote that the song's "low-end Giorgio Moroder-esque pulse finds Michaelson striking a balance between the arid synthesizer aesthetic of the series and her own knack for crafting buoyant, heartfelt anthems.

[20] Taking on the role of Nancy, Michaelson "laments over not being with the real object of her affection", according to Study Break's Abby Webb.

[30] Containing the line "I don’t wanna be dramatic / But your, but your lips are like a drug, and I'm an addict",[13] the song's refrain reads "Kissing me, I’m missing you / You’re in my head".

"[21] Julia Greenspan of The Daily Rind Blog observed that the song carries "modern-day lyrical weight" despite its 1980s-based production.

[32] Writing for The Arts Desk, Lisa-Marie Ferla observed that the lyrics maintain a universality despite its "sultry synths and darker melody" inspired by Stranger Things' storyline.

In anticipation of the album's release, Idolator contributor Mike Wass considered "Missing You" to be a strong indication that Stranger Songs is "shaping up to be something special".

[36] Writing for Substream Magazine, Gabriel Aikins described "Missing You" as an "incredible" song with a winning hook, believing the single should appease Stranger Things fans until the show's third season premieres.

[19] Eden Arielle Gordon of Popdust described "Missing You" as "a euphoric and sugar-sweet song that could easily soundtrack a triumphant bike ride in a Stranger Things final scene".

[31] Michaelson also released an animated video inspired by graphic novels, with artwork by comic book artist Kevin Wada.