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Chan Is Missing

Play trailer Poster for Chan Is Missing 1982 1h 20m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 52 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
In this understated comedy from director Wayne Wang, Jo (Wood Moy), a cab driver in San Francisco's Chinatown, and his nephew, Steve (Marc Hayashi), have placed their combined savings into the hands of the shady and mysterious Chan. When this unreliable holder of their funds disappears, Jo and Steve become amateur investigators and attempt to track him down, meeting with resistance -- and plenty of humorous characters and situations -- along the way.
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Chan Is Missing

Chan Is Missing

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Critics Consensus

An entertaining mystery that's also rich in setting and character detail, Chan Is Missing suggests thrilling potential from director/co-writer Wayne Wang.

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Critics Reviews

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Derek Smith Slant Magazine Jun 21, 2022
Wayne Wang’s playfully enigmatic debut was a watershed for Asian American filmmakers. Go to Full Review Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune May 19, 2021
4/4
Wood Moy and Marc Hayashi serve notice that they are actors worthy of more films. But the lion's share of the credit for Chan Is Missing must go to director Wang, who with this one tricky little film serves notice that he is a filmmaker to watch. Go to Full Review Michael Maza Arizona Republic May 19, 2021
Chan Is Missing is craftily iconoclastic; unlike so many big-budgeted Hollywood genre-splicings and sendups, it sledgehammers old forms, not just for the heck of it, but with an eye toward building something new. Go to Full Review Sarah Boslaugh TheArtsStl Apr 27, 2025
8/10
Style, not story, is the real reason for watching Chan Is Missing. It’s shot with many references to film noir while also ironically salting in some Charlie Chan-like aphorisms. Go to Full Review Olivia Popp Asian Movie Pulse May 21, 2023
Wang simply chooses to ignore conventional bounds altogether, instead creating a film that acts as geopolitical primer, a delicate portrait of a community, and meditation on identity politics and border anxieties in contemporary America, all in one. Go to Full Review Bill Cosford Miami Herald May 19, 2021
3/4
It is in black-and-white, it is quite funny, and it is a revelation. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Scott R @ScottR Dec 9, 2025 NYT 1000 films. I see why it was included for novelty and independent film, but it’s dated, has weak plot, and a bit cheesy. The best part was its focus on Chinese American culture. Saw on YouTube. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Nov 3, 2025 Funny in 1 1/3 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Copyright 1982-2025 by New Yorker Films!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Filmed on June 04th, 1982, in color!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Mark P @mpcamb Jan 27, 2023 I saw this long ago, back in the 80s, liked it and would like to see it again. It's unclear to me why major steaming sevices don't carry cult film, little budget wonders, film-school early director work. Warmed over crap gets the nod. See more Dec 19, 2016 Very good forgotten/unknown film. See more Feb 29, 2016 Independent noir-ish movie from the early 80s made by a Chinese American director with an entirely Chinese American cast, and taking place in San Fransisco's Chinatown, about a taxi driver who begins a search for his friend who has disappeared with his money (which was supposed to be used for his cab license). He ends up on a fruitless amateur investigation learning that his friend may not have been all that he thought he was, and could've possibly been mixed up with a murder and fled back to China. The movie is also notable for giving a lot of insights into Chinese American culture, and the little intricacies within. t is a good little movie, I liked it, despite a few shortcomings from some of the clear amateurs in the cast...but with smaller indie films? That is often pretty forgivable for me, particularly if the movie has heart, a story, and is trying it's best. See more Aug 22, 2014 Wayne Wang - The American Chinese Spike Lee. His first movie and a bit rough at the edges because of the low budget, but an insightful look into the lives of Chinese Americans in the 80's See more Read all reviews
Chan Is Missing

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Cast & Crew

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Wayne Wang

Director

Wood Moy

Jo

Marc Hayashi

Steve

Laureen Chew

Amy

Isaac Cronin

Writer

Wayne Wang

Writer

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Chan Is Missing

Chan Is Missing (1982) Chan Is Missing (1982) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In this understated comedy from director Wayne Wang, Jo (Wood Moy), a cab driver in San Francisco's Chinatown, and his nephew, Steve (Marc Hayashi), have placed their combined savings into the hands of the shady and mysterious Chan. When this unreliable holder of their funds disappears, Jo and Steve become amateur investigators and attempt to track him down, meeting with resistance -- and plenty of humorous characters and situations -- along the way.
Director
Wayne Wang
Producer
Wayne Wang
Screenwriter
Isaac Cronin, Wayne Wang
Distributor
New Yorker Films
Production Co
New Yorker Films
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 4, 1982, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 14, 2016
Runtime
1h 20m
Sound Mix
Mono
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