A cut, 88-minute version titled "She’s Missing" was released on Adult Time in 2023, consisting of the first and fourth segments of the original story. Where to Find Information
The story is a "whodunit" style thriller. Shyla Jennings plays a frantic, distressed woman whose sister has gone missing. She arrives at a location (or is visited by) a private investigator or a person of interest, played by Cadence Lux.
Set in a chilling dystopian future, Missing expands on the universe Mills first introduced in her previous film, The Turning . Despite the implementation of "The Normalcy Act" and sweeping social reforms, society remains in a state of fear. In this world, lesbians are forced to exist in the shadows, hunted by a powerful organization known as AWAL (The Association of Women against Lesbians). A dangerous substance called "Blooming Tea" circulates on the black market.
The narrative of Missing: A Lesbian Crime Story is set in a dark, alternative reality. In this world, an oppressive government has implemented the "Normalcy Act"—a sweeping piece of public and health policy designed to systematically target, suppress, and criminalize sapphic relationships.
At the center of this enforcement is , a powerful, authoritarian organization dedicated to wiping out the community. Under AWAL's regime, a substance known as "Blooming Tea" has been outlawed and is traded strictly on the black market.
Released on June 7, 2016, the film is not just an adult movie but a full-fledged, feature-length . The story unfolds in a chilling futuristic world where the government has passed the "Normalcy Act." Despite sweeping reforms in public policy, society lives in fear under AWAL (The Association of Women Against Lesbians), an organization dedicated to eradicating homosexuality.
Critical reception to the film was mixed but leaned heavily into its ambitions as a narrative feature. Upon its release in July 2016, one user review on IMDb recognized Riley Reid's performance as the element holding the long, dialogue-driven film together, but criticized what the reviewer saw as a lack of mystery, calling the villain’s identity "obvious". The review also made comparisons to epic fantasy and science fiction worlds like Game of Thrones or Tolkien, acknowledging Mills' lofty aspirations even while questioning their execution. In a later review, a viewer praised the film's "delightful honesty to the storytelling," while others found it to be a "deluded story" with a plot that made "absolute no sense".
Audience & Reception
The exploration of a missing lesbian crime story from 2016 through a Girlsway exclusive detailed feature could provide a deep dive into specific cases like Tara Calico's. Such stories not only shed light on the incidents themselves but also on the broader themes of community, advocacy, and the intersection of crime with identity.
Despite the polarized views, the film was a major success within the industry, earning significant recognition from its peers. The production went on to win two AVN Awards, which are among the most prestigious accolades in the adult film industry. It won the award for , and the scene between co-stars Riley Reid and Reena Sky won Best Lesbian Sex Scene . Additionally, Missing received seven nominations for the 2017 XBIZ Awards, including a nomination for Best Actress: Feature for Riley Reid and a nomination for All-Girl Feature of the Year.
The LGBTQ+ community rallied around Emily's family, offering support and assistance in the search. A special task force was formed to investigate Emily's disappearance, with a focus on potential hate crimes.
In an exclusive interview with Girlsway, Emily's best friend, Rachel, shared her own theory about Emily's disappearance: "I think Emily was targeted because of her activism. She had been vocal about LGBTQ+ rights and had been involved in several high-profile campaigns. I think someone saw her as a threat and decided to silence her."
Against this backdrop, an alarming number of women mysteriously vanish over a six-month period. The core mystery centers on an exiled investigative journalist, (played by Riley Reid), who is brought in to solve the string of disappearances. Her investigation takes her to the home of a missing young woman, where she discovers a hidden diary detailing a passionate, forbidden affair with an older woman, plunging Lara deep into a web of political conspiracies, secret government agents, and deep-state corporate corruption. High-Profile Ensemble Cast
The missing lesbian crime story is significant for several reasons:
Missing: A Lesbian Crime Story – Inside the 2016 Girlsway Noir Masterpiece
