In Searching

In San Jose, California, David Kim looks through old photographs and videos of his daughter Margot and his late wife Pamela. Pamela battled lymphoma for a long time before her passing nearly two years earlier, leaving David and Margot emotionally distant.

Margot, a typical high school teenager, is heavily involved in social media and is deeply connected with her friends online. Despite David's attempts to bridge the gap, Margot spends more time interacting with her peer group than with him.

While searching the internet, David comes across a story about a hiker who survived nine days trapped in the mountains. This information subtly highlights the theme of survival as he begins to feel increasingly worried about his daughter Margot.

One night, Margot heads to a friend's house for a study group. During this time, she tries to call David three times without his knowledge, hinting at her distress or potential plans needing parental guidance.

The next morning, David wakes up and realizes he cannot reach Margot, assuming she has gone to school. Unanswered texts leave him increasingly concerned, especially when he learns that Margot had canceled her piano lessons six months prior.

Through Pamela's old laptop, David accesses Margot's social media accounts where he finds troubling financial transactions. He discovers that Margot transferred $2,500 to a deleted Venmo account, deepening his fears about her well-being.

Realizing Margot is missing, David reports her disappearance to the police, where Detective Rosemary Vick is assigned to the case. Vick seeks information about Margot's personality and friendships to aid the investigation.

As the investigation progresses, Vick reveals to David that a fake ID had been made for Margot and shows footage of her car at a highway juncture, suggesting she might have run away. David remains unconvinced and continues to search for clues.

David learns that Margot had frequently visited Barbosa Lake, prompting him to check the area. There, he finds her Pokémon key-chain on the ground, giving him hope but also increasing his anxiety about her fate.

While searching the lake area with police assistance, they uncover Margot's car submerged underwater along with an envelope containing $2,500. This chilling discovery marks a pivotal moment in the investigation as fear of foul play intensifies.

In a desperate search for answers, David visits TMZ to examine crime scene photographs. He uncovers incriminating evidence, including a jacket that belongs to his brother Peter, raising questions about Margot's relationships.

Detective Vick receives a confession from a former convict, Randy Cartoff, claiming responsibility for Margot's assault and murder. This news devastates David, leading him to question the credibility of the investigation.

During Margot's empty-casket funeral, a shocking turn of events occurs as Vick is arrested for her involvement in the cover-up. It unfolds that she had been trying to divert attention away from her son Robert, who had been involved in the incident.

David uncovers that Vick's son had been posing as a friend of Margot online and that a tragic encounter escalated to Margot's fall into the ravine. The cover-up attempt by Vick reveals the deep desperation and fear she faced regarding her son.

In a dramatic turn of events, a rescue crew finds Margot alive but severely injured in the ravine. David's persistent questioning of Vick’s tale leads to the revelation that Margot was still alive, defying all expectations.

Two years later, Margot prepares to apply for college, planning to major in piano. David reflects on how proud Pamela would have been of Margot, signifying a newfound closeness between father and daughter as their relationship strengthens after the trauma.