The Missing

:

Season 1
Season #: 3, 2, 1
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 131 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 111 out of 131
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 131
  3. Negative: 14 out of 131
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User Reviews

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  1. Calamity538
    Dec 20, 2014
    4
    I found it incredibly hard to follow. It seemed to jump about so much from past to present. The only way I could tell was by the length and colour of hair! Love James Nesbit and never seen anything but great acting from him. Pity the editing wasn't better. Good story told in a corkscrew way.
  2. shellview
    Dec 27, 2014
    10
    This is great TV story telling. James Nesbitt has brought his A-game as the father experiencing every parent's worst nightmare. The rest of the cast is excellent as well. I always marvel at what the UK and most of Europe can do with a story brought either to the small or large screen. The twists and turns of the story never seem artificial or contrived. Brilliant.
  3. zouz123
    Mar 11, 2015
    10
    Suspenseful, dramatic, gripping, twisted and exciting. What words could better define a tv show!! Was hooked from beginning till last minute. Ending was weird, but the ride was enjoyable. Nice show, can't wait for season 2, though heard it's a different story not connected to the first.
  4. Prosmooth
    Dec 20, 2014
    7
    I'm giving it a 7. It's extremely well written and well acted. However the main problem I have with it is it's main character. He is a miserable sod (understandably) who is mean and rude to everyone around him--and quite honestly it's difficult as an audience member putting up with his moping and woe is me attitude. Found myself wishing he would just suicide by the third or fourth episode.I'm giving it a 7. It's extremely well written and well acted. However the main problem I have with it is it's main character. He is a miserable sod (understandably) who is mean and rude to everyone around him--and quite honestly it's difficult as an audience member putting up with his moping and woe is me attitude. Found myself wishing he would just suicide by the third or fourth episode. James Nesbitt is a fine actor--but making this character as written as the lead in the show was a mistake.… Expand
  5. EPMD
    Jun 8, 2016
    6
    Parts of this were very good. The end of the first episode, in particular, was fantastic. But at times the show really did drag, and eventually I just wanted it to end already. The premise promised much and really didn't deliver much in the way of an interesting story. Lots of potential wasted, but still watchable.
  6. bruceylegs
    Nov 20, 2014
    10
    I was worried that this series would be 'too much' as, on the face of it, the storyline appeared to borrow a lot from the true, heartbreaking story of Madeleine McCann. However, having watched 4 episodes, it's safe to say that the story ploughs its own furrow. The story is gripping and the acting excellent. James Nesbitt is always great value and here he does a great turn as the dumfoundedI was worried that this series would be 'too much' as, on the face of it, the storyline appeared to borrow a lot from the true, heartbreaking story of Madeleine McCann. However, having watched 4 episodes, it's safe to say that the story ploughs its own furrow. The story is gripping and the acting excellent. James Nesbitt is always great value and here he does a great turn as the dumfounded yet determined father. Ken Stott is also cast successfully against type as the creepy Ian Garrett. Arsher Ali is all too believable as the slimy hack who's proudly claims the disappearance of the child was the "best day of my life". Great stuff.… Expand
  7. casella366
    Dec 2, 2014
    9
    A dark and twisted mystery... I can't seem to get enough. Don't be discouraged by the slow but necessary character development and back story because once the plot thickens it gets very thick and each episode seems to get more shocking than the last.
  8. Deltadawn38
    Jan 10, 2015
    2
    I am disappointed in this Starz series. The plot had the viewer going in all different directions pointing strongly to a possible pedophile and to human trafficking for the sex trade. Key characters were suspect all throughout the series that had nothing to do with the disappearance of sweet Oliver. What was the point of that, as it led to great frustration from one episode to the next. InI am disappointed in this Starz series. The plot had the viewer going in all different directions pointing strongly to a possible pedophile and to human trafficking for the sex trade. Key characters were suspect all throughout the series that had nothing to do with the disappearance of sweet Oliver. What was the point of that, as it led to great frustration from one episode to the next. In hind sight, there is no point to Ian and Victor being suspect, yet the movement of the series led you on to believe they had a definite role in Oliver's disappearance. They had suspicious behavior, for what? Twists and turns throughout that went nowhere. I would love one more episode that explains where the body is. And explain how Victor and Ian were actually involved all along. Hit by a car...seriously?? The actors did a great job. The plot needed help.… Expand
  9. agagil
    Mar 27, 2015
    3
    A bit too tedious and slow. The characters aren't interesting enough nor did I feel that I could relate to them. The ending was too much of a let down as well.
  10. llave96
    Dec 21, 2014
    9
    One of the best tv series of 2014 after True Detective and Fargo. I liked the combination between the two languages: english and french. Maybe, the episodes were slow, but every episode ended with a big spoiler. Is amazing!
  11. socalgranny
    Jan 7, 2015
    2
    This tedious, drawn out melodrama is difficult to watch. To be fair, we must give the actors credit for being able to act their parts credibly, given the stupidity of the characters they portray. It must at times have been embarrassing. The British writers get to portray the Irish protagonist as rash, irrational, emotional, and a drunkard, the French police as incompetent, the FrenchThis tedious, drawn out melodrama is difficult to watch. To be fair, we must give the actors credit for being able to act their parts credibly, given the stupidity of the characters they portray. It must at times have been embarrassing. The British writers get to portray the Irish protagonist as rash, irrational, emotional, and a drunkard, the French police as incompetent, the French public officials as corrupt, and the Scottish pedophile as contemptible and degenerate. The denouement is totally absurd and makes you realize that you have been played for paying Starz a premium to produce this rubbish.… Expand
  12. lauriem
    Jan 19, 2015
    10
    I loved the series but have been debating with my friends about the ending. I believe that their son was never murdered but ultimately sold in Russia and in the last scene Tony found him. There was a picture drawn on the boy's apartment window which was the same as the little boy had drawn for his Dad and on the wall in the basement where he was held after the abduction. I think the searchI loved the series but have been debating with my friends about the ending. I believe that their son was never murdered but ultimately sold in Russia and in the last scene Tony found him. There was a picture drawn on the boy's apartment window which was the same as the little boy had drawn for his Dad and on the wall in the basement where he was held after the abduction. I think the search did drive Tony crazy but in the end he found his son and after seeing the drawing the young man will come to the conclusion that the crazy man at his door is indeed his father. Does anyone else agree??… Expand
  13. ErikTheRed
    Dec 21, 2014
    10
    Exceptional drama. It hits on all levels, dealing with response to tragedy and loss, interpersonal dynamics, intricate plot sequences, and character development. I cannot imaging a more deeply involving experience than provided by this series.
  14. jimmyj
    Dec 11, 2014
    10
    Ok, seven episodes in and I see something...a meditation on friendship and the price of trust. In the musical 'Wicked' there's a song called 'No Good Deed Goes Unpunished'. In 'The Missing' there are good friends who go the distance and "friends" who aren't what they appear to be. This interesting friendship and trust theme runs this way and that, as good people can be bad as well as good.Ok, seven episodes in and I see something...a meditation on friendship and the price of trust. In the musical 'Wicked' there's a song called 'No Good Deed Goes Unpunished'. In 'The Missing' there are good friends who go the distance and "friends" who aren't what they appear to be. This interesting friendship and trust theme runs this way and that, as good people can be bad as well as good. To me, interesting subtext. It has given me something to gnaw on. Keep watching. Enjoy the complexity.… Expand
  15. jerkwheat
    Apr 28, 2015
    8
    I was pleasantly surprised by this one. The first three episodes weren't nearly as engaging as the final five, so if you do watch this make sure to stick it out at least that long - you'll be hooked afterward.
  16. Aegon
    Dec 9, 2014
    10
    Definitely one of the best shows of the year!! Compelling, well-acted and exceptionally well conceived plot!
    The characters are always evolving in every episodes and you can never know what is gonna happen!! Amazing
  17. kamiyamaninja1
    Dec 18, 2014
    10
    fresh and exciting.. kept me wondering.. thinking... wow a awesome show.. great acting and interesting plot.. I really have enjoyed the shows a great deal.. can't wait for more..
  18. tobyglynn
    Jan 11, 2015
    9
    Great show. Really tense, keeps you thinking and guessing to the end. Some great acting accross the cast. really recommendable. james nesbit plays the desperate man really well. well constructed darkness to it all
  19. RogerE
    Feb 22, 2016
    9
    I'm sincerely impressed with this series and hope to see more of this in the future. The acting, direction and storyline are perfectly crafted. People might complain about the dramatic back-and-forth in the timeline, but it's a stylistic choice of storytelling, and in my opinion, works just great. The director takes us through many layers of human emotions, detailing the pain and anguishI'm sincerely impressed with this series and hope to see more of this in the future. The acting, direction and storyline are perfectly crafted. People might complain about the dramatic back-and-forth in the timeline, but it's a stylistic choice of storytelling, and in my opinion, works just great. The director takes us through many layers of human emotions, detailing the pain and anguish behind every character. James Nesbitt, Frances O'Connor, Tchéky Karyo, Titus De Voogdt and Saïd Taghmaoui embody their roles to near perfection. The ending is perhaps the best part of the first season. It doesn't leave the audience with a perfect answer and that to me is great television.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Best TV Season of 2014
81
#81 Most Discussed TV Season of 2014
10
#10 Most Shared TV Season of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Melissa Maerz
    Nov 20, 2014
    75
    The cinematography is beautiful, with the present cast in a melancholy blue and the past cast in yellow, as if to remind us that terrible things are done in broad daylight. Some minor characters are intriguing.... But The Missing doesn't have much to say about the loss of a child beyond that it's an Unbearable Tragedy.
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  2. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Dorothy Rabinowitz
    Nov 17, 2014
    80
    A hard-charging, unfailingly suspenseful mystery whose tonnage of side dramas and veritable school of red herrings don’t, miraculously enough, undermine its strength. Though it is, on occasion, a close call.
    Read full review
  3. The Wrap
    Reviewed by: Diane Garrett
    Nov 14, 2014
    80
    There have been an awful lot of movies and shows about lost children, but The Missing elevates the familiar dynamic to a new level with a gut wrenching mystery. By the end of the first episode, you really want to know what happened to the tyke while dreading where the answer might take you.
    Read full review
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