MIKE WARD’S SMALL SCREEN

SEARCHING (12) (Download now, DVD from Monday)

THIS cleverly crafted, visually inventive thriller (nearly all played out on computer screens, mobile etc) stars John Cho, right, as David, a Californian grieving for the wife he’s lost to cancer and determined to stay strong for their daughter, 16-year-old Margot (Michelle La).

David’s wish is a forlorn one, it seems, because his fragile world is turned upside down for a second time when Margot disappears. With hours passing and the police appearing to make little progress, he searches for clues closer to home by logging on to Margot’s laptop. What he discovers reveals a whole new side to his daughter’s life.

COMEDIANS OF THE WORLD (15)

(Netflix Original) HUMOUR is an international language, right? In some respects, certainly. Here’s a chance to test out that theory in greater depth – should you have a lot of spare time on your hands – with stand-up specials featuring 47 comedians from 13 regions, performing in eight languages. Nish Kumar, Joel Dommett, Mae Martin and Ellie Taylor are the UK contributors.

KIN (15)

(Download, DVD and Blu-ray)

THIS rather messy sci-fi thriller finds troubled Detroit teen Eli (Myles Truitt) stumbling upon a futuristic weapon at an abandoned building site, surrounded by dead alien-type bods.

Eli does a runner, which is the smartest reaction under such circumstances. But then his curiosity overpowers him and he goes back to fetch it.

Well, hey, it might just come in handy, right?

Alternatively, it might land him in a whole heap of grief as he and his fresh-out-of-jail brother (Jack Reynor) find themselves being chased by all manner of scary individuals, not all of whom seem entirely of this world.

SLENDER MAN (15) (Download, DVD and Blu-ray)

FOUR girl pals from a small Massachusetts town set out to debunk the apparent myth of a child-snatching demon, only for one of them to mysteriously disappear.

A valiant cast tries its hardest, but this is dated, teen-horror twaddle at its most cliché-ridden.