As a Hitchcockian thriller with a slippery hero, this film can be ruthlessly effective.

If “Susie Searches” wanted to critique the true-crime podcast trend, it could have done so more directly. For now, we have a movie at odds with itself and its main character.

Despite its narrative shortcomings, the film builds a tense and mischievous mood that acts as its hook.

There are so many solid twists and turns as we follow this girl detective with a dark desire for recognition. [...] The mystery is pieced together really well and, if you go in without knowing anything, it’ll really surprise you.