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Missing

Play trailer Poster for Missing PG 1982 2h 2m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 35 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
In 1973, U.S. businessman Ed Horman (Jack Lemmon) arrives in Chile to look for his son, Charles (John Shea), a politically left-leaning journalist who disappeared during a military coup. Charles' wife, Beth (Sissy Spacek), has been looking for some time, but her requests for help from the U.S. consulate have thus far produced few results. As Ed and Beth try to figure out what really happened to Charles, Ed realizes that the American officials may know more than they're telling.
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Missing

Missing

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Critics Consensus

Thanks in large part to strong performances by Sissy Spacek and Jack Lemmon, Missing is both a gripping character exploration and an effective political thriller.

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Critics Reviews

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Richard Corliss TIME Magazine Mar 29, 2009
A story that could have made for a brisk jeremiad on 60 Minutes is stretched to 122 minutes of heroes fuming and villains purring their oleaginous apologies. Spacek and Lemmon, an appealing sweet-and-sour combo, sink in the swamp of good intentions. Go to Full Review Variety Staff Variety Mar 26, 2009
Lemmon is superior as a man facing up to issues he never wanted to confront personally. Go to Full Review Derek Adams Time Out Jun 24, 2006
Spacek and Lemmon are fine as the missing man's wife and father, but what makes the film so overwhelming in places is its unending night-time imagery of a society coming apart at the seams. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Sep 2, 2024
3.5/4
A riveting political piece. Go to Full Review Zita Short InSession Film Feb 7, 2023
Costa-Gavras made far more radical political thrillers than this but I think this was one of his sharpest efforts as it is able to package its political message within an engaging human story. Go to Full Review Chase Burns The Stranger (Seattle, WA) Jan 20, 2022
Missing remains one of director Costa-Gavras's best works. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Sep 18, 2026 Missing = a 4.5 Star Movie! See more Carlos I @carlosFibarra Aug 19, 2025 While Jack Lemmon delivers a great performance, giving an intensity you don't often see from him, the 1982 political thriller Missing is ultimately just an okay film. Despite Lemmon's captivating presence, the movie struggles to rise above being a standard entry in the genre. Its strengths are overshadowed by a narrative that, while competent, fails to leave a lasting impact, making it a decent watch but not a truly remarkable one. See more Patricia W @RT52876138 Jun 23, 2025 This movie stinks.Not one likable character in the film.No one to root for.You won't care if they find the son or not.In fact,you'll with they'd all disappear. See more Aldo G @RT54480587 May 23, 2025 Must watch film for Americans. See more Joseph G @RT35614056 Apr 27, 2025 A bit dated and the premise that one American citizen will receive the kind of US government support seems stretched. The acting is fine but the dialogue is riddled with cliches and is forced. See more Stoner J @Stoner Apr 23, 2025 Fantastic political thriller/drama, and super heartbreaking See more Read all reviews
Missing

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Cast & Crew

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Costa-Gavras

Director

Jack Lemmon

Ed Horman

Sissy Spacek

Beth Horman

John Shea

Charles "Charlie" Horman

Melanie Mayron

Terry Simon

Charles Cioffi

Captain Ray Tower

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Missing

Missing (1982) Missing (1982) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In 1973, U.S. businessman Ed Horman (Jack Lemmon) arrives in Chile to look for his son, Charles (John Shea), a politically left-leaning journalist who disappeared during a military coup. Charles' wife, Beth (Sissy Spacek), has been looking for some time, but her requests for help from the U.S. consulate have thus far produced few results. As Ed and Beth try to figure out what really happened to Charles, Ed realizes that the American officials may know more than they're telling.
Director
Costa-Gavras
Producer
Edward Lewis, Mildred Lewis
Screenwriter
Donald Stewart
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Universal Pictures, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 12, 1982, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 8, 2020
Runtime
2h 2m
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