Vanished (2025)


REVIEWER RATING: 
7/10

DIRECTOR:

CAST:


Bubbly blonde tween Kelly Finley is having a birthday party, and we’re all invited! However, this celebration turns sour immediately following her father, Jack’s required attention to a leaked interview on CNN. The video discusses former partner Greg McBride’s prison sentence for political corruption within the organization (the largest security/arms dealing company “in the world”.) As the adults gather to solve this dilemma through quick risk management strategy, the birthday girl is nowhere to be found. Nor is the hired entertainment and servers. Hmmm…

If you haven’t figured out yet, Vanished is NOT about Kelly’s disappearance. The concentration is directed towards a well-known mucky-muck couple: Jack (a somewhat stiff Randy Charach) and his wife Lily (Laurie Fortier, in a rather impassive role considering her baby girl was kidnapped.) As the FBI moves in hastily to help bring home their daughter, the millionaire couple seems either in shock…or indifferent. No tears, little fear and a lack of heartbreak creeps into the atmosphere unexpectedly. However, I’m giving them a free pass as it’s difficult to resonate with extreme emotions that I’ve never encountered. So, let’s press on…

The kidnappers are reveling in their child-snatching success while engaging in smack talk and doing lines of coke primarily being sniffed up joyously by part-time party clown Mickey (irresistibly portrayed by skilled chameleon, Robert LaSardo.) While his girlfriend and co-conspirator, Claudia (a strong and powerful performance by Natalie Burn) does her best to calm the frightened young captive, Edmond (an impressive Quinton Jackson) learns the identity of the group’s ransom ask – the king broker of US weapons and security. And that knocks the color right off his face.

Forced with pivoting the payoff plan through Edmond, Mickey saddles up the girls for a meeting with cell phone shop fixer, and hopeful new team member, Harvey (an extraordinary cold-hearted, Richard Grieco.) And thus, they recreate their roles to get daddy’s millions for his beloved daughter’s return. All the while, Jack and his trusted second in command Parker, are set into motion pending Harvey’s stoic demands…and a disastrous chain of events ensues.  

The arrogance of dear old dad clouds his vision and decision making, opening up opportunities for the criminals to directly harm his missing daughter AND his brooding wife left behind in the Finley mansion. Although his judgement is misled and his demeanor appears immersed on the outside perspective if this “gets out”, Jack works hard at being the hero, even if the implication isn’t apparent. Perhaps some facial faucets may have helped? Even tough guys can cry. Go for it, Mr. Finley!

OVERALL: 
Vanished is not an authentic tale of child abduction. In fact, it’s geared for action thrill seekers who may root for the bad guys along the way, especially given the magic between veteran actors Grieco and LaSardo (Vanished marks their third project together, with one more coming down the pipe soon!) Although it’s not life-changing, it’s entertaining and delivers on the fast-paced race against time and outstanding performances. While there are more moments of compassion from Mickey and Claudia over the girl’s actual parents, the same cannot be said for the reprehensible Harvey when poor little Kelly is weeping in the bathroom, begging to go home. “Give her some jerky and a soda. Maybe that will shut her up!” So much for the sympathy.


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