Susie Searches (2023)

“Susie Searches” is a film with a severe identity crisis. It opens like an edgy Disney Channel movie, only to turn into a twisty, bizarre, and dark story of kidnapping, accidental murder, cover-ups, and the unlimited quest for popularity and celebrity status. Susie (Kiersey Clemons), who has had a knack for solving mysteries since she was a small child, is now an awkward college student with her own true crime podcast. After working hard to gain an audience, she stares at her computer screen with zero likes or listeners. When a popular student on campus (Alex Wolff) goes missing, Susie seizes the opportunity to boost her popularity by solving the case. When she discovers a kidnapping, more buried truths come to light. All of this gets Susie in a mess that she may never be able to dig herself out of. The story is different and interesting, and the twists are mostly unexpected. The problem is that every revelation makes Susie an even more unlikable protagonist. It’s not that a film can’t or shouldn’t have a flawed lead character, but there’s something about Susie that’s annoying and difficult to root for. The first glimpse we get of her is a nerdy young woman with a sunny disposition who works tirelessly to care for her ill mother. From the get-go, it’s easy to be on her side. Every male authority figure she encounters, from her boss (Ken Marino), the town Sheriff (Jim Gaffigan), cops, and the campus security guard are total lunkheads. But as the narrative progresses, you learn more about Susie and the mask that she wears. You’ll think the story is going one way but then it takes a complete 180 that’s startling (and ultimately harms the movie). “Susie Searches” is unique in story and tone, but the film never comes together as a whole.