Today’s quick review: Missing. Lee Ji-sun (Uhm Ji-won), a working mother, has her hands full with her career and a bitter custody battle with her ex-husband Jang Jin-hyuk (Go Jun). During the day, she leaves her daughter Da-eun (Seo Ha-nui) with Han-mae (Gong Hyo-jin), a Chinese nanny. But when Lee comes home to find Han-mae and Da-eun missing, she begins a desperate search for them, in the process uncovering dark secrets from Han-mae’s past.
Missing is a Korean mystery about a mother trying to find her missing child. Lee Ji-sun follows a thin trail of clues to piece together who Han-Mae really was and what happened to Da-eun. Missing plays its cards well, opening with the mundane drama of Lee’s life and gradually ratcheting up the tension until the finale. Resonant acting and a strong plot progression make the movie a worthwhile pick for anyone in the mood for something darker.
Missing handles its mystery with skill. The question of what happened to Da-eun drives the plot and keeps the tension high, but the movie sprinkles in smaller questions about Han-mae’s identity that are tantalizing in their own right. Each revelation sheds a little more light on the situation while making the facts of the case more grim. The result is a gut-wrenching puzzle that becomes more captivating as it comes together.
Missing will not suit everyone. Its slow start, dark tone, and highly personal stakes will frustrate some viewers. But for viewers with a taste for uneasy situations and tragedy, Missing offers a well-crafted mystery that delivers on its premise.
For a dramatic mystery about a kidnapped child, try Changeling or Gone Baby Gone. For a crime thriller about a woman’s dark secrets, try Gone Girl. For an offbeat dramatic comedy about a missing baby’s journey home, try Tokyo Godfathers.
[6.5 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6292996/). I give it a 7.0 for a tight plot and effective drama.