Set almost entirely on computer screens and smartphones, the film follows a father (John Cho) trying to find his missing 16-year-old daughter (Michelle La) with the help of a police detective (Debra Messing).

The film was a financial and critical success, grossing over $75 million worldwide against a $880,000 budget and receiving praise for its direction, acting, unique visual presentation, and unpredictable storyline.

Vick reports Margot made a fake ID and shows traffic camera footage of her car outside the city, suggesting she may have run away.

Unconvinced, David discovers Margot had been using a streaming site called YouCast and befriended a young woman named Hannah under an anonymous username.

Vick calls David and tells him an ex-convict named Randy Cartoff confessed to raping and killing Margot before committing suicide.

As David uploads photos to a funeral streaming site, he notices the website's stock photograph features a picture of Hannah.

Assuming the accident was fatal and could be perceived as manslaughter or even first-degree murder, Vick decided to cover up the incident, pushing the car into the lake and fabricating the fake ID evidence.

While Ohanian was open to the offer and saw its potential, Chaganty was hesitant, since he believed a feature film would stretch the concept and feel too gimmicky.

[8] Actor John Cho turned down the role of David Kim at first because he felt that the concept of a movie seen entirely through TV, phone and computer screens was not feasible.

[9] Initially started as a joke, an alien invasion subplot was created by using snippets of news articles, Facebook comments, or hashtags and "fit into the timeline and main plot of Searching without taking away from it.

[12] Cho also said in an interview that the production crew made him look older in the movie by drawing lines on his face since his character had a teenage daughter.

The website's consensus reads: "Searching's timely premise and original execution are further bolstered by well-rounded characters brought to life by a talented cast.

"[25] Kate Erbland of IndieWire gave the film a grade of "B+" and called it "a true storytelling feat, married with sharp editing that makes the entire effort not only seamless, but also wholly intuitive," also saying, "Aneesh Chaganty's drama transcends its gimmick, offering up a smart and refreshing spin on movies that literally play out on small screens.

He added, "Even if Searching didn't make effective use of its technology angle, the core story would still work due to Chaganty's script, which packs an emotional punch from its first moments and never holds back.

"[27] Peter Travers of Rolling Stone gave the film four out of five stars and wrote "director Aneesh Chaganty, in an exceptional feature debut, does the impossible, building a high-voltage, white-knuckle thriller told almost exclusively through smartphones, laptop screens, browser windows and surveillance footage.

[28] Aisha Harris of The New York Times wrote, "While a somewhat silly reveal in the final act feels ripped from a Law & Order episode, the combination of clever concept reflecting the prevalence of screens in everyday life, and the pleasure of watching a typically underused Mr. Cho take on a meaty lead role make Searching a satisfying psychological thriller.

"[30] On January 13, 2021, it was announced that the first film's editors, Will Merrick and Nick Johnson, would write the screenplay for and direct the sequel, based on a treatment by Chaganty and Ohanian.