Directed by Aneesh Chaganty. Starring John Cho, Debra Messing, Michelle La, Joseph Lee, Sara Sohn. (PG-13)

Unusual, gimmicky mystery thriller takes place almost exclusively on the screens of computers and cell phones, detailing the efforts of a distraught father (Cho) trying to find his missing daughter (La). The visuals are distracting at first, but as the story becomes more absorbing, they're easy to (almost) forgive and forget--there's just no sensible reason to present the narrative in these terms aside from technological commentary. Full of dead ends and red herrings, the sinuous suspense and Cho's credible central performance grab the viewer's attention and won't let go; those efforts are undermined, however, by a late twist so labored and unlikely that the film never recovers, souring the whole experience. From a technical and organizational standpoint, a rare tour de force that should never be attempted again.

59/100