The employees of a dying seaside hotel have their lives upended when their colleague vanishes.
“Misper” follows a socially awkward hotel employee whose life starts to unravel after a co-worker goes missing quietly. Instead of focusing on the investigation itself, the film leans into the emotional ripple effects on the people around it. I saw it at the Dallas International Film Festival, which was my first time attending a festival as a critic, so the experience already carried a bit more weight for me.
The film takes a different angle on the missing-person genre, centering on a group of hotel employees at a once-grand seaside property that now feels worn down and fading. It’s an interesting shift and helps the film stand apart.
At the start, “Misper” feels a bit like an awkward workplace comedy, with dry, uncomfortable humor and really understated performances. As the disappearance settles in, the tone becomes more somber and introspective. That contrast works at times, creating an uneasy feeling where you’re not quite sure whether to laugh or sit with the discomfort. At the same time, it doesn’t always come together cleanly, and the film can feel stuck between its comedic side and its slow-burning mystery.
The setting does a lot of heavy lifting. The decaying seaside hotel reflects the characters’ emotional distance and adds to the overall sense of isolation. The film is strongest in its quieter, more observational moments, where that atmosphere really comes through.
The performances are solid across the board, especially the lead, who captures the slow unraveling with a very restrained approach. The film starts to lose its footing a bit in the narrative, though. As the character drifts, the story does too, and it can feel a little fragmented and longer than it actually is.
I’m pretty mixed on it overall. I respect what the film is going for and its willingness to avoid a traditional structure, but it doesn’t always land in a way that feels fully engaging. There are moments where everything clicks, but they’re balanced out by stretches where it feels unsure of itself and a bit distant.
Still, “Misper” is a solid debut and will probably connect with the right audience, especially if you like slow, atmospheric storytelling. For others, it may feel like an idea that’s stronger in concept than in execution. Either way, I’m always appreciative of the people who make these films and the chance to see them with a full crowd. That’s not something I take for granted.
“Misper” had its Texas Premiere at the 2026 Dallas International Film Festival on Friday, April 24th
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