Missing follows in the found footage footsteps of Sony Pictures Releasing’s 2018 mystery thriller, Searching, with the original film's screenwriters Aneesh Chaganty (who also directed) and Sev Ohanian developing the story and producing. Editors Nick Johnson and Will Merrick were honored with the actual directing and screenplay writing this time, and the technology they're dealing with has advanced unbelievably quickly in the five-year break. Missing stars Euphoria's Storm Reid as June Allen, a tech-savvy teen desperately seeking her disappeared mother after what was supposed to be a romantic vacation in Colombia.
Film icon Nia Long (The Best Man) plays the missing mother in question: Grace Allen, whom the trailers suggest may be living under an assumed identity. But even if the police and public lose faith in Grace as a victim, June will stop at nothing to find her mother and bring her home safe. Whether it's hacking into emails, learning about encrypted phone apps, or hiring Colombian help through Taskrabbit, the youthful sleuth uses every technology at her fingertips to crack the case. More than a crime drama, however, Missing is a heartwarming family story about the power of love and the reach of belief.
Screen Rant spoke to Reid about how different the filming experience was for Missing, how she connected with costar and onscreen mom Nia Long, and what draws her to darker material such as Invisible Man or Euphoria.
Storm Reid Talks Missing
Screen Rant: How different was the filming process for Missing? Was there anything that you had to consciously think about the small framing devices, like the phone or laptop?
Storm Reid: Yeah, absolutely. It was very challenging. I had never filmed something where it's all taking place on the computer, so [there's] different eye lines and making sure all the technical aspects were correct. It was a bit hard, especially with the emotions we went through in the movie The emotions are heightened, so having to intersect both of those was a little challenging. But once I got the hang of it, it was so much fun.
You definitely were a pro at it. Speaking of emotions, you and Nia are so incredible together. What is it like getting to build that dynamic in such a short span of time? Despite not getting to be with her while looking for her.
Storm Reid: I know! Yes, I wasn't able to share many scenes with her while looking for her. But she was so supportive; so helpful in the scenes that we did share together. It was so much fun, and the connection was there; the bond was there. I got to work with a legend, so it's a really cool thing. I'm glad that I was able to work with her.
I know that as part of the Tiktok generation, you maybe know how to use all of these different apps that I did not know existed. How tech-savvy are you in comparison to June? If you had to track someone down, could you do it like this?
Storm Reid: I can find somebody on social media, for sure. But finding a missing person? I don't know. If June was a 10 out of 10 for technologically savvy 10, I'd say I'm a 6 or 7? I'll find out some information, for sure. But the lengths that June went to? I'd get stressed out.
I was stressed out just watching. You gotta get some pointers from her. You have been on a roll with these darker, more mature roles, from Invisible Man to Euphoria and now Missing. What draws you to these heavy topics?
Storm Reid: I think I try to be very intentional and very purposeful with the things I choose to be a part of. All of the things I choose to be a part of just happened to be emotional; happened to be a little darker. I want the thing that we are creating to have a purpose, and it needs to have a message. It doesn't need to be a preachy message, but I think as creatives and as people in this business, we have the opportunity to say things. And if we are not saying anything, we are doing ourselves and other people a disservice. I think everything that I'm a part of says something, and that makes me happy.
When it comes to Euphoria, what would you like to say to Gia for season 3? What can we hope for her?
Storm Reid: Gia, I hope that you get to smile. I hope you get to laugh. I hope you get some ice cream or something! No, I hope we get to see Gia [smile] more, but my overarching hope for season 3 is just more levity, more joy; more grace. I think we have covered the entire spectrum of emotions in Euphoria over the last two seasons, so hopefully, season 3 is a little less heartbreaking.
About Missing
When her mother disappears while on vacation in Colombia with her new boyfriend, June's search for answers is hindered by international red tape. Stuck thousands of miles away in Los Angeles, June creatively uses all the latest technology at her fingertips to try and find her before it's too late. However, as she digs ever deeper, her digital sleuthing soon raises more questions than answers.
Check out our other Missing interviews soon:
Missing arrives in theaters on January 20.
