Missing
Missing Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: April 10, 2026
Movie Overview: Missing
| Movie | Missing |
| Release Year | 1982 |
| Director | Costa-Gavras |
| Genre | Drama / Mystery / Thriller |
| Runtime | 123 minutes |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Missing (1982) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.2/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in Missing are led by Jack Lemmon . The supporting cast, including Sissy Spacek and Melanie Mayron , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
Missing stands out as a strong entry in the Drama genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Drama narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, Missing has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Drama fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: Missing
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1982, Missing is a Drama, Mystery, Thriller film directed by Costa-Gavras. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Jack Lemmon.
Ending Explained: Missing
Missing Ending Explained: Directed by Costa-Gavras, Missing resolves its central conflicts in a coherent and engaging way. The ending highlights the core drama themes developed throughout the film.
The final twist encourages viewers to reconsider earlier moments in the story, particularly in scenes involving Jack Lemmon. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The main storyline reaches a clear conclusion.
- Character Development: The central characters complete meaningful arcs.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the drama themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of Missing reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Missing Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is Missing Based on a True Story?
Missing uses real-world events as inspiration. As a drama, mystery, thriller film directed by Costa-Gavras, the production explores how real events can be adapted into a dramatic narrative.
Real Story vs Movie Version
The film balances factual inspiration with cinematic storytelling. Certain scenes are likely dramatized to enhance emotional impact.
Many viewers have praised the film for respecting the spirit of the real events.
Accuracy Assessment: Missing uses real-life inspiration as the foundation for a dramatized narrative. The film prioritizes thematic storytelling over strict documentary accuracy.
Who Should Watch Missing?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Jack Lemmon or the director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Box Office Collection: Missing
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $9.6M |
| Worldwide Gross | $14.0M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Missing Budget
The estimated production budget for Missing is $9.6M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Missing
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Missing Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon VideoMissing Parents Guide & Age Rating
1982 AdvisoryWondering about Missing age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Missing is 123 minutes (2h 3m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.2/10, and global performance metrics, Missing is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1982 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Missing worth watching?
Missing is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7.2/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Missing parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Missing identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Missing?
The total duration of Missing is 123 minutes, which is approximately 2h 3m long.
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How Missing Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Missing
This is quite an intense political thriller from Oscar winning Costa-Gavras that sees "Ed Horman" (Jack Lemmon) and his daughter-in-law "Beth" (Sissy Spacek) travel to Chile to try to find his writer son who has become caught up in the coup that has deposed President Allende. It is soon clear that the inherently patriotic Horman couple are not getting the support they would have expected from their consular officials and as the story develops we discover how little they actually knew their son and also how the confidence in their own government can be shaken to the core. Lemmon's frustration is palpable as he becomes more and more desperate. Both he and Spacek were deservedly Oscar nominated for their performances in this gripping drama. I could have done with more of a conclusion, but perhaps it is better as it is...?
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
