Searching is that rare thriller that's both entertaining and educational—a genuinely clever film that uses its gimmick (everything happens on screens) to tell a gripping story about a father who realizes he doesn't really know his daughter.

The good: It's well-made, critically acclaimed, and more relevant in 2025 than when it came out in 2018. The format isn't just a gimmick—it actually makes you think about digital breadcrumbs, online privacy, and how much of our lives live on screens. John Cho is excellent, and the mystery keeps you guessing.

The real talk: This is emotionally intense. A missing teen, a desperate parent, dark twists—it's not a fun Friday night movie for the whole family. It's a 13+ watch-with-your-teen situation that will absolutely spark important conversations about online safety, but might also keep everyone up at night.

The WISE score of 70 reflects that tension: it's innovative, enriching, and valuable for digital literacy education, but it's also heavy, suspenseful, and not 'safe' in the sense of being appropriate for younger viewers or light entertainment. If you've got a teen who's online (so, every teen), this is worth watching together—just be ready for some serious conversations afterward.