Missing 1982

The film commences with a poignant camcorder video from 2008, capturing a tender moment between six-year-old June Allen and her father, James (Tim Griffin), during a family vacation. The warm atmosphere is disrupted by James’ sudden nosebleed, which he downplays despite his wife Grace’s (Nia Long) concern. As the video abruptly cuts off, we’re left with a sense of unease, only to learn that James has passed away due to a brain tumor. A montage follows, showcasing the outpouring of support from friends and family as June’s mother struggles to come to terms with her loss.

Fast-forward to the present day, and June (now portrayed by Storm Reid) finds herself in a complicated relationship with her mother, Grace. The two have grown apart, with June feeling suffocated by her mother’s constant nagging and criticism. Meanwhile, Grace has moved on, dating Kevin Lin (Ken Leung) and preparing to embark on a trip to Colombia together. As they depart, June is left to her own devices, seeking solace in partying with her best friend Veena (Megan Suri).

As the days pass, June becomes increasingly despondent, her grief manifesting in reckless behavior. Kevin attempts to check in with June, sharing updates from their trip and sending pictures of himself and Grace, but she’s too distracted to respond. Instead, June finds comfort in partying, punctuated by occasional visits from Heather (Amy Landecker), a lawyer friend of her mother’s.

The day of Grace and Kevin’s return home arrives, and June decides to greet them at the airport with a playful sign welcoming “Gracie” back from prison. However, she soon realizes that something is amiss when she discovers that her parents’ luggage has been left behind. After calling the hotel and using a translator to communicate in Spanish, June learns that someone saw two Americans leave without their belongings. Determined to uncover the truth, June asks about accessing the security footage, only to be told that it will automatically overwrite within 48 hours, setting her on a path of discovery and self-discovery.

As June navigates the labyrinthine world of GoNinja in Colombia, she embarks on a quest for a reliable and affordable worker who can aid her in accessing the hotel’s security footage. Her search leads her to Javier Ramos (Joaquim de Almeida), whose sympathetic ear is won over by her persuasive pitch. Though Javi’s initial efforts to access the surveillance tapes prove unsuccessful, he inadvertently uncovers a vital clue: someone spotted Kevin frequenting a hardware store in Getsemani. As Javi sets out to follow this lead, Heather assists June in establishing contact with FBI Agent Elijah Park (Daniel Henney), seeking his expertise in tracking down Grace.

As June and Veena delve deeper into Kevin’s digital footprint, they manage to crack his password and gain access to his emails. A startling revelation awaits them: a plethora of blocked messages, each referencing him by various monikers such as Darren, Kyle, or Luke. Park’s insight into Kevin’s past proves invaluable, revealing that this con man had recently been released from prison, with any illegally gathered evidence destined for the trash heap of court proceedings.

The duo also uncovers a trail of digital breadcrumbs leading to Rachel Page (Lauren B. Mosley), aka “bunnicakes”, a woman whose coworkers report her sudden disappearance two weeks prior. Javi’s own investigation yields a crucial discovery: Kevin had visited a hardware store in Getsemani, but his purchase was singularly focused on acquiring a lock.

As June continues to probe the depths of Kevin’s online presence, she discovers that his most recent location before Colombia was an isolated residence. A phone call to the number linked to this address yields Jimmy, a man who shares with June that Kevin had sought him out in search of spiritual redemption and salvation for his past transgressions.

June’s exploration of Kevin’s dating profiles reveals the circumstances of how he met Grace – a connection fostered by their shared experiences. Though their relationship flourished, Grace’s private confidences to Kevin hinted at a hidden truth from her own past.

As Park shares startling footage with June, it becomes apparent that what initially seemed like a romantic getaway for Grace and Kevin was actually a prelude to their abduction by mysterious masked men. The disappearance of Grace sends shockwaves nationwide, prompting an avalanche of speculation and investigation. Amidst the chaos, Park’s assurances that no one is being ruled out as a suspect only fuel June’s growing unease. As the truth begins to unravel, it emerges that Kevin’s seemingly innocuous photo updates were actually cleverly edited misdirection, replacing Grace with her doppelganger Rachel. The revelation of this deception leads to Rachel’s arrest and subsequent release on bail, only to further confirm that Grace’s disappearance was meticulously planned.

As June navigates the treacherous landscape of uncertainty, she turns to Javi for solace and guidance. But even his empathetic ear can’t dispel the sense of unease that grips her as she becomes increasingly entangled in the mystery surrounding her mother’s vanishing act. News reports hint at a tangled web of secrets and lies, including whispers of her mother’s assumed identities and sealed court records. Javi’s words of comfort are tempered by his own personal struggles, having recently lost his wife and being estranged from his son.

June’s digital sleuthing leads her to an encrypted messaging app, allowing her to infiltrate Kevin’s online world under the guise of their relationship. The mysterious contact’s number, which she obtains through this channel, ultimately links her to Heather, a name that takes on ominous significance in the context of her mother’s disappearance. With an Apple Watch serving as her trusty digital companion, June embarks on a stealthy reconnaissance mission to Heather’s office, where she uncovers a trail of incriminating evidence, including erased files, threatening images, and signs of a violent struggle. Her search culminates in the grisly discovery of Heather’s lifeless body, a shocking revelation that catapults June further into the heart of the mystery.

As the shocking news of Heather’s brutal murder reverberates through the media sphere, June receives a bombshell revelation from Park: Kevin was reportedly spotted on the Colombian border. Fueled by curiosity, she revisits their encrypted communication channel, only to uncover a chilling conversation between Kevin and an unknown individual. Veena then discreetly transmits a link to a real-time crime tracker app, which reveals that the authorities have pinpointed Kevin’s location atop a hotel in Colombia. A sudden hail of gunfire erupts, and in a tragic turn of events, Kevin meets his untimely demise, leaving Grace’s case stuck in limbo.

June’s despair reaches new heights as she confronts Javi once more, lashing out at him for his role in her son’s reluctance to engage with her. As she begins to clear her voicemail, a flood of memories washes over her, including the affectionate moniker “Junebug” left by Grace. This sentimental reminder sparks an idea: June uses the “Junebug” password to access Grace’s email archives, which yields a surprise discovery - a blocked account containing a menacing message claiming to have located Sarah (aka Grace). Moreover, she uncovers a link to security cameras hidden within a familiar abode that sends her reeling: it’s none other than her childhood home.

The phone rings, and Jimmy, the enigmatic figure from Kevin’s “church,” appears on the line. His frantic tone sets off alarm bells as he materializes in front of June’s Ring doorbell camera. The unexpected revelation leaves her stunned: Jimmy is, in fact, James, her long-presumed-dead father, very much alive. As June invites him into her home, he reveals a web of deceit spun by Sarah (Grace), who fabricated his death and concocted lies to imprison him. Just as June begins to piece together the truth, James suddenly seizes her, yanking her into the trunk of his car with a disorienting force.

As the past unfolds on grainy video footage, a shocking revelation emerges: James’ bloody nose wasn’t a symptom of a mysterious tumor, but rather a telltale sign of his addiction. The truth is far more sinister - James was an abusive drug user who terrorized those around him, including Grace and their daughter June. In desperation, Grace turned to the authorities for help, seeking protection from her tormentor’s grasp. The evidence reveals that James’ threats against Grace were recorded, with his menacing demands to see June a stark reminder of his controlling nature.

Heather, a trusted ally, played a pivotal role in helping Grace rebuild her life under an assumed identity, forming a bond that transcended their shared experiences. In the present, James’ manipulative schemes come full circle as he orchestrates a twisted reunion with June, luring her back to their childhood home. Under the guise of nostalgia, James subjects June to a cruel display of power, locking her in her old bedroom and taunting her with her own sweater.

Meanwhile, Grace languishes in a nearby shed, her spirit unbroken despite her physical confinement. When James finally enters her prison, he presents her with a haunting token - June’s sweater - forcing her to confront the reality of their toxic relationship. With a fierce determination, Grace overpowers James, securing her freedom and allowing her to rush to June’s aid.

As they reunite, June is filled with regret and apology for her past behavior towards her mother. However, their moment of tenderness is short-lived, as James’ malevolent presence looms large once more. In a desperate bid for help, June reaches out to Javi via WhatsApp on her Apple Watch, sharing a poignant message and an old family address that could lead the authorities to their location.

Tragically, June’s connection with Javi is severed just as she imparts this crucial information. James’ sinister intentions are revealed once more, as he threatens his captive daughters and, in a heartless display of cruelty, shoots June in the side. As he attempts to reassert control, Grace seizes the opportunity to strike back, plunging a shard of glass into James’ neck.

As James’ life force begins to ebb away, June is overcome with remorse for her past actions towards her mother. In a moment of clarity, she recalls how Grace relied on Siri for everyday tasks and remembers that her phone is still within reach. With her wits about her, June uses Siri to access her phone and call the authorities, ensuring that help will finally arrive to put an end to James’ reign of terror.

As the dust settles on their harrowing ordeal, June and Grace are whisked away to receive the urgent medical care they so desperately need. Their extraordinary story, though fictionalized, is given new life in the Netflix crime drama “Unfiction”, a series that has previously delved into the mysteries of David Kim and his daughter Margot’s case - a connection that leaves June feeling underwhelmed. However, this latest development takes an unexpected turn when it becomes clear that June and Grace have maintained a secret connection with Javi, whose own journey reaches a heartwarming climax as he is reunited with his long-lost son. The emotional payoff is palpable as June engages in a poignant FaceTime conversation with her sister, the tender moment culminating in a profound confession: “I love you,” a message conveyed not through the spoken word, but rather through the digital realm of text messaging, marking a small yet significant step forward in their complex and evolving relationship.