Search Party (2016)
A wickedly sharp dark comedy that follows four self-absorbed millennials spiraling into obsession, crime, and chaos across five audacious seasons.
Search Party - Series Information
- Original Title: Search Party
- First Air Year: 2016
- Last Air Year: 2022
- Created by: Sarah-Violet Bliss, Charles Rogers
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy, Drama, Crime
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 22 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 5
- Number of Episodes: 50
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: November 21, 2016 (United States - TV-MA), November 21, 2016 (Germany - 12), November 21, 2016 (France - 10), November 21, 2016 (Australia - M), November 21, 2016 (Brazil - 14), November 21, 2016 (Mexico - C), November 21, 2016 (Spain - 16)
- Networks: TBS, HBO Max
- Production Companies: Jax Media, Semi-Formal Productions, Studio T, Quiet and Considerate Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
Search Party - Plot
A dark comedy about four self-absorbed twenty-somethings who become entangled in an ominous mystery when a former college acquaintance suddenly disappears.
Search Party - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get your first look at the chaos that awaits:
There's a difference between missing and lost.
Where to Watch Search Party
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Search Party - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Sarah-Violet Bliss
- Charles Rogers
Main Cast
- Alia Shawkat
- John Reynolds
- John Early
- Meredith Hagner
- Clare McNulty
- Brandon Micheal Hall
- Jeffery Self
- Ron Livingston
- Phoebe Tyers
- Christine Taylor
Writers
- Sarah-Violet Bliss
- Charles Rogers
- Andrew Pierce Fleming
- Starlee Kine
- Matt Kriete
Executive Producers
- Sarah-Violet Bliss
- Charles Rogers
- Tony Hernandez
- Michael Showalter
- Lilly Burns
Search Party - FAQs
Where can you stream Search Party online?
Search Party is available to stream on Netflix and Netflix Standard with Ads. It can also be purchased digitally on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. All five seasons are currently available in the United States.
What happened to Dory at the end of Search Party?
By the series finale, Dory undergoes a profound and unsettling transformation. After surviving kidnapping, a murder trial, and a cult, she ultimately becomes the very kind of manipulative, self-serving figure she once despised, completing a darkly ironic character arc that defines the show's thematic core.
Is Search Party based on a true story?
No, Search Party is not based on a true story. It is an original dark comedy created by Sarah-Violet Bliss and Charles Rogers. The series draws on millennial culture, social media obsession, and true-crime genre conventions to craft a satirical fictional narrative rather than depicting real events.
Who are the main actors in Search Party?
Search Party stars Alia Shawkat as Dory, John Reynolds as Drew, John Early as Elliott, and Meredith Hagner as Portia. The ensemble also includes Clare McNulty, Brandon Micheal Hall, Jeffery Self, Ron Livingston, Phoebe Tyers, and Christine Taylor in notable roles.
How many seasons does Search Party have?
Search Party ran for five seasons, each consisting of 10 episodes, for a total of 50 episodes. The series premiered on TBS in November 2016 and concluded in 2022, with later seasons airing on HBO Max after the show moved networks.
Did Search Party win any awards?
Search Party earned critical acclaim and received several award nominations throughout its run, including recognition at the Critics' Choice Television Awards and the GLAAD Media Awards. The show was frequently praised on year-end best-of lists for its sharp writing and Alia Shawkat's lead performance.
What genre is Search Party?
Search Party blends comedy, drama, and crime genres into a distinctive dark comedy-thriller. Each season shifts tone dramatically — from missing-person mystery to courtroom drama to psychological horror — making it a genre-defying series that consistently subverts viewer expectations.
How was Search Party received by critics?
Search Party was met with strong critical praise across its five seasons. Critics lauded its sharp satirical voice, inventive genre shifts, and Alia Shawkat's commanding central performance. It holds high approval ratings on Rotten Tomatoes and is widely regarded as one of the most underrated comedies of its era.
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