She's the boss now.
She's the boss now.
Director Sam Raimi’s new survival‑horror film, Send Help, pulls you in from the very first moments, weaving together suspense, dark humour, and psychological twists and turns. It’s an uncomfortable, fun, and emotionally charged ride that rewards your full attention with strong character work and office dynamics pushed to their breaking point. Raimi’s signature style is easy to spot, from the sudden tonal swings to the gnarly horror beats and playful genre chaos that keeps you guessing with every absurd curveball. The film builds its atmosphere and tension with precision, using its near two‑hour runtime, deserted tropical landscape, and committed performances to make the unravelling feel both grounded and memorable.
Send Help follows Linda Liddle (Rachel McAdams), a strategist in the Planning and Strategy Department of a financial management company, whose long‑promised promotion vanishes when the owner’s blowhard son, Bradley Preston (Dylan O’Brien), steps in as the new CEO. Hoping to prove herself one final time, Linda joins Bradley on a business trip to Bangkok, only for their plane to crash during a violent storm. The two wash ashore on a remote island as the sole survivors, forced into an uneasy partnership as Linda’s survival instincts quickly give her the upper hand. As they struggle to navigate the harsh conditions, the fight to stay alive reveals tensions and vulnerabilities that were simmering beneath the surface.
Starting as a sharp dark comedy, Send Help keeps you guessing before leaning harder into horror in the explosive third act. The script feels lively and inventive, and although the midpoint has repetitive moments, the back half more than compensates as the film returns to a satisfying gear. It’s the perfect watch with an energetic crowd, playing like Misery blended with Cast Away, with hints of Triangle of Sadness and Lord of the Flies as the balance of control changes. Along the way, standout moments include a hilariously failed CPR attempt, a bloody boar attack, and the chaotic plane sequence, set pieces that land with the right mix of shock and laughter.
Rachel McAdams is the true powerhouse of the film, delivering a fearless and textured performance that elevates every scene she’s in. She moves effortlessly between vulnerability, charm, instability, and moments of outright madness, often all within the same scene. Her character, Linda, is messy and unpredictable, but deeply human, making her arc fascinating to watch. In the final moments, McAdams even flashes a quick hint of Regina George, a reminder of her impressive range.
Dylan O’Brien is just as strong, fully holding his own opposite McAdams while stepping far outside his usual sympathetic roles. As Bradley, he shifts convincingly from smug corporate bravado to pathetic desperation, then into moments of wounded vulnerability before erupting into something far more vicious by the end. It’s one of O’Brien’s most striking performances yet, and his commitment to playing someone so flawed, abrasive, and morally bent makes the character uncomfortable in all the right ways. He even adds a bit of effortless eye candy to the mayhem, a horror hunk in the making.
Raimi keeps the pacing tight and the atmosphere uneasy, guiding the film with a steady tension that never lets up. The film has Drag Me to Hell vibes in the gore, style, and tonal whiplash, keeping the audience slightly off balance in the best way. Raimi’s dynamic camera work showcases the exotic location, allowing the island’s beauty to break through the bloodshed. At times, CGI feels heavy‑handed, especially in the boar sequences and parts of the plane crash, but otherwise the effects land well, offering the right amount of splatter without going overboard. The soundtrack adds a playful element, including two nods to Mean Girls with “Rip Her to Shreds” and “One Way or Another” by Blondie, winking at McAdams’ shift from frumpy office outcast to Queen Bee of the island.
Overall, Send Help is an absolute blast, a cleverly unhinged survival tale that never loses its sense of fun. McAdams and O’Brien deliver standout performances that enhance an already bold screenplay and Raimi’s confident direction. It’s pure popcorn entertainment with a handful of memorable twists, best experienced on the big screen for full impact.
