Sam Raimi refuses to grow up. Let’s hope he never does.
The director behind the OG “Evil Dead” saga is back with “Send Help,” a delirious blend of terror, drama and Survival 101. And, in between, there’s plenty of unnecessary gore and bodily fluids.
See what we mean about never growing up?
It’s all expertly assembled, a story driven by two crackerjack turns and a narrative that refuses to play down to our expectations.
Socially awkward Linda Liddle (Rachel McAdams) is an indispensable part of her company, but her business savvy doesn’t impress the new owner, Bradley Preston (Dylan O’Brien). He’s a Patrick Bateman type, smooth and soulless, eager to stomp on your feelings if it pleases him.
And, boy, does it ever.
Sure, Linda delivers the goods, but she’s not the kind of person you want in your golf foursome. She’s mousy and dull, the employee you avoid at the water cooler. Raimi stages these sorry facts for our bemusement, and Linda is so clueless we almost side with Bradley.
Almost. Not really. But she’s far from idealized, one way the film sidesteps any girlboss fears.
Bradley begrudingly invites her as part of an Asian business trip, but their plane short circuits mid-flight, killing most of the crew and passengers.
Linda and Bradley are the only survivors, washing up on a tropical island. And, as luck would have it, Linda is a survivalist junkie. She does more than watch that CBS reality show of the same name. She’s made it her passion to research how to stay alive in unforgiving climates.
Like a sun-blasted island that reeks of paradise.
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Bradley is wounded and far less capable of fending for itself. Their dynamic has shifted, but how will that play out as the days drag on and no rescue boat appears?
We’ve already said too much, but there’s so much to savor in the rest of “Send Help” that it’s impossible to spoil it all. McAdams’ character blossoms on the island, relishing the chance to put her skills to use. Bradley is initially humbled by her chops, but he’s such a jerk that it may not last forever.
It’s a two-hander with tart dialogue, tart surprises and an ability to find fault in both characters. The film’s setup suggests a woke reversal, the evil capitalist at the mercy of the can-do office drone.
Yes … and no.
No lectures. No awkward conversations about The Patriarchy™. Raimi lets the story speak for itself, and there’s plenty to be gleaned from Linda’s pre-crash predicament.
It makes everything that goes down on the island so much richer.
Raimi’s direction is taut and purposeful. He corrals his instincts enough to tell a logical story, but there’s always something in play to keep us engaged. Credit screenwriters Mark Swift and Damian Shannon for providing a structure that keeps the island activities grounded.
Even some of the sillier aspects of Linda’s survival training may make sense by the final minutes. The rest is up to Raimi, untethered by MCU guidelines or Comic-Con expectations.
Welcome back.
HiT or Miss: “Send Help” isn’t the best movie of 2026, but it just might be the most fun.
bah, she murders 2 innocent people and gets away with it. typical leftist girlboss behaviour. Despicable.
How refreshing it will be to have a female protagonist that is human and real, complete with the vulnerabilities and frailties we associate with simply being a person. After all, it’s impossible to fulfill that old writer’s axiom, “Thou shalt make life as difficult as possible for the protagonist.” if the star is too amazing to be daunted by anything whatsoever.
Sam Raimi has come a long way from the campy, quirky films of the 80’s, 90’s, I’ll be checking this one out.
The movie does a delicate dance around the feminist/woke landmines, but never steps on them– it’s a well choreographed dance. That’s not to say the movie isn’t without its flaws. The final act and then the coda left me a little baffled. But a very good movie nonetheless!
Rachel McAdams is playing “mousy and dull”? That’s acting! Sounds like the typical Hollywood trick of casting a nerdy character by putting a gorgeous woman in bad hair and glasses. But I guess it’s easier to hire Rachel McAdams to start out unattractive and “blossom” than it would be to hire an unattractive actress and ask her to turn into Rachel McAdams.
You nailed it … it’s odd to see her in such an unappealing fashion, but that’s what makes her transformation so much fun to watch.
McAdams and Raimi called it a “feminist power fantasy.” Are you sure you’re not just praising it because it’s getting great reviews from everyone else and you want to fit in?
“No lectures. No awkward conversations about The Patriarchy.”
Really?………..Really!?
Because the preview looks an awful lot like, “SWM bad (yawn). Indispensable but unappreciated woman good (bigger yawn).” This thing reeks of feminist-revenge-p@rn, Toto. Please tell me there is a twist worth investigating. Otherwise, all I see is two hours of my life given over to a movie with nobody to like, root for, or empathize with.
Both characters are flawed. Linda is a mess, but your heart does go out to her … but the complexities make the film more interesting.
Thanks for follow up. Keep up the reviews!
I got the same feeling watching the trailer.