At about lunchtime on Saturday, 10 September 1988, 15-year-old Lee was last seen in High Street, Sutton, South London, not far from his home in Cheam, after visiting shops with a friend. Lee told his friend that he was considering going to watch a Crystal Palace football match at Selhurst Park. He hasn’t been seen since.

At the time of his disappearance, Lee was described as white, 5’8”, with a medium build, grey eyes, light brown hair and a dimple in his left cheek. He wore a white Flintstone’s T-shirt, black jeans and brown suede shoes.

Over the last 36 years, the search for Lee has been subject to both frequent media coverage, with vulnerability to speculation and harmful theories along the way.

The complex and devastation emotions faced by the Boxells were inspiration for Virginia Gilbert’s latest film Reawakening, endorsed by both the family and by Missing People.

Reawakening is a new psychological thriller from the BAFTA-nominated writer-director, starring Jared Harris (Mad Men, Chernobyl), Juliet Stevenson (Bend it Like Beckham) and Erin Doherty (The Crown).

The trailer and synopsis can be found here.

In developing the characters and storyline, Virginia took a thorough, thoughtful, and empathetic research approach, drawing heavily from a variety of sources; from Missing People’s work and interviews with families of a missing loved one, to young peoples’ cases and examining how they transpired over time.

As part of her research, Virginia listened to The Missing podcast, where families are invited to talk about their loved one. Upon hearing Lee’s episode, she was “floored” by the similarities between the Boxells’ experience and that of the main characters.

She said: ”There was so much overlap in terms of both the psychology of the characters in my story, but also the details of how Peter [Lee’s dad] had continued to search for his son…and I was stunned by how closely art in this case had imitated life.”

“I have enormous respect for Peter – for what he continues to go through on a daily basis and how he copes with such immense life-affirming strength – and am deeply honoured that he has found something in our film that speaks some small, tiny element of truth,” Virginia added.

Over the last 36 years, Lee’s parents, Peter and Chris, have remained heartbroken yet determined and hopeful to reunite with their beloved son and find closure.

In response to their son’s anniversary, they share this message:

‘Dear Lee, if you read this message, please know that you are greatly loved and missed by your family, and that we dearly wish to know that you are well. Please get a message to us to let us know how you are.’

Reawakening will be released in cinemas throughout the UK on Friday, 13 September.

To help the search, the public can visit Lee’s appeal on the Missing People website here, from where they can report a sighting, download his missing appeal as a poster, and share it as widely as possible via Facebook, Twitter, and in public spaces.

Missing People’s Publicity Officer, Ndella Senghore, said:

“If anyone has any information about Lee’s disappearance, they can contact Missing People’s helpline.

“Lee, if you are reading this, please get in touch. You can call us on 116 000 or email [email protected]. Our service is non-judgemental, confidential, and free thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery. We just want to provide you with the support you need and help you to be safe.

Our helpline is here to support people who are missing, thinking of going missing, and for loved ones who are left behind. The helpline is free and confidential and is operated by trained staff and volunteers.

Sightings and information about any missing person can also be given anonymously through the Missing People website at https://www.missingpeople.org.uk/sightings-and-giving-information-2.