watch later

Not interested / seen

SearchSearch

Search

Exploring the fine line between community and cult in this Turkish mystery

Drama

7.8

show

Turkey
Turkish
Character-driven, Dramatic, Intense
2023
Aslı Enver, Begüm Akkaya, Defne Kayalar
TL;DR
Charismatic leader, a remote island, and claims to heal? It's always going to give "cult" vibes.

Synopsis

rotten tomatoes
imdb
Nisan, an unhappy, sick, lost woman trapped in the hustle of city life, discovers a shady cult in her search for her friend who disappeared after a healing session they attended together. Despite all her doubts, Nisan can't turn a blind eye to the cult's promises, and follows a mysterious man, Tufan, into an adventure full of unknowns.

Our Take

7.8
Kerine W

After a healing workshop leads her best friend to sell her belongings and move to a remote island, Nisan becomes suspicious a cult is indoctrinating outcasts. But when she’s diagnosed with cancer and dark memories haunt her dreams, she seeks the island to find hope and happiness. Nisan’s suspicions struggle against her desire to face her past. On the pseudo-utopia island, the idea of safe havens and communities is put to the test forcing Nisan to reckon how isolating living in fear and pain is. With a steady pace, Search stretches the concept of a cult, keeping a refreshingly open mind to all the ways a community with freedom, equality, and care remains unfathomable. 

What stands out

The mystery of the cult and its charismatic leader was an interesting angle to discuss what spaces exist for people feeling alone in their lives. From cancer patients to victims of abuse and addiction, the past of the island's residents opens up a conversation on what makes a community and how it coexists with personal faith. Through Nisan's stubborn, lost eyes freedom and autonomy are always at the forefront constantly questioning if pure intention without incentive can create a utopia. Unexpected but ultimately a great hook.

Comments

What did you think? Who should watch it?

Next up

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

best

8.3

An inspired revival of the fun, inspirational, episodic format that made Star Trek a phenomenon in the first place

Let’s Get Divorced

5.0

A toothless take on divorce, though with a promising premise and stunning views of Ehime

I’m a Virgo

best

8.0

This surrealist show about a 13-foot tall teenager uses its wacky premise to politically skewering effect

Actress

7.6

Nonchalant vigilance is threatened by a unknown, omniscient antagonist

Shaitan (2023)

5.0

When the law fails, violence, revenge, and coups take over

The Days

7.1

An admirable yet harrowing recounting of Japan's worst natural-turned-nuclear disaster

See You In My 19th Life

7.5

A romantic reincarnation K-drama with a mysterious twist, grounded in modern times

Platonic

7.5

A funny and fresh take on the age-old “will they or won’t they?” dilemma

Barracuda Queens

5.8

This loosely-based-on-a-true-story mini-series is just about good enough to while away an afternoon, but not for much else