To See or Not to See: Search Party

Search Party is the television show that has become a quiet hit: everyone from celebrities to major print publications are raving about. You may have heard of it, but haven’t watched; or, you may not have heard about it at all (and now you know). It is definitely a must-see for this year.

Search Party is a darkly funny, noir-esque show about a group of twentysomethings in New York City. The main character, Dory (Alia Shawkat), has been aimless since college. Currently, she’s the assistant to a wealthy housewife, but it has been a “temporary” job for years. Her boyfriend, Drew (John Reynolds), is the most hipster-looking young man working in finance. They live together, but they’ve grown accustomed to a sedate existence. Her two best friends, Portia (Meredith Hagner), an actress, and Elliott (John Early), a very flamboyant entrepreneur, come off as supremely entitled and unapologetically selfish. One day, Dory sees a Missing Persons poster on the street for an old college acquaintance, Chantal (Claire McNulty), and Dory becomes inspired to find out what happened to her, involving Drew, Portia, and Elliott in her sleuthing. As we watch this foursome, they (kind of) support each other, betray each other, and react to the world as it relates to themselves. From attending a candlelight vigil to infiltrating a wonky Brooklyn “cult”, Search Party becomes more than just a whodunit caper. It is Dory’s search not for finding Chantal, but for finding herself.

In case you needed any more reasons to watch Search Party, here’s another great one: the immense talent involved with the project. Aside from the crazy good foursome at the center of the show, there are a good number of more seasoned actors associated with the show. Christine Taylor plays Gail, the wealthy housewife. Ron Livingston is a slightly creepy P.I. that Dory falls into cahoots with. Rosie Perez is a paranoid, potential clue in Chantal’s whereabouts. Christine Ebersole is Portia’s mom, from whom Portia desperately wants approval. Parker Posey is the wonky “cult” leader, Brick. And, finally, Michael Showalter is one of Search Party’s creators as well as appearing, briefly, on the show. All of those folks combined with the rest of the fantastic cast (and production team) really does make Search Party a treat to watch.

With each episode clocking in under 30 minutes, Search Party was pretty much made for binge-watching. In fact, the entire series was released at once. The episodes can be found on TBS’s website. Now, what are you waiting for? Stay home and spend an afternoon getting to know Search Party. You won’t regret it.

Photo Credit: Macall Polay/TBS