Send Help Review: Sam Raimi Delivers the Most Twisted Thriller of 2026 So Far

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While survival movies aren’t super common, they can be incredibly compelling when they’re well-made. Cast Away is a classic example of a film about overcoming huge challenges. Send Help takes that same basic idea, but offers a very different take on it.

Instead of focusing on the struggle to survive, the film Send Help explores a more disturbing idea: what if someone actually flourishes while stranded on a deserted island? The result is a surprisingly dark and enjoyable story, boosted by incredible acting, intense survival challenges, and a demonstration that simplicity can be powerfully effective.

Sam Raimi Brings the Stress of Survival to the Forefront in Send Help

The movie centers on Linda Liddle (Rachel McAdams), a highly capable strategist who quietly keeps a major company running smoothly. She’s overlooked and undervalued, especially when a new CEO, Bradley Preston (Dylan O’Brien), arrives and denies her a well-deserved promotion. After a plane crash leaves them stranded together during a business trip to negotiate a merger, Linda and Bradley must learn to depend on each other to survive.

Sam Raimi is known for showing characters’ inner struggles through their physical performances. A prime example is Ash Williams, but his recent film continues this trend. Even though Linda is well-prepared for a survival scenario, viewers can still see both her fear and excitement in her expressions.

The character’s successful hunt for a boar, combined with her skill in building a fire and shelter, demonstrates ideal survival capabilities. In sharp contrast, Bradley embodies those completely unready to face life beyond modern society. The director doesn’t downplay this difference—instead, he highlights it with realistic depictions of hardship and fatigue, all delivered with his signature visual style.

Sam Raimi’s unique directing style actually improves the film. The injuries feel incredibly intense, and as the characters descend into madness, the audience feels it too. The result is a movie that powerfully portrays how people would genuinely react in extreme situations.

What makes Send Help stand out is how every decision matters. Whether it’s eating a bug, gathering water, or taking a chance, you see the immediate results. The film is also surprisingly educational, teaching you about survival skills in a way that feels engaging, not preachy. It’s a tense, informative, and incredibly realistic experience.

Even though Send Help isn’t as fast-paced as Sam Raimi’s Drag Me to Hell, it still keeps you on edge. The quiet moments feel genuine and relaxing because of the great connection between Rachel McAdams and Will O’Brien.

Despite all the dialogue, the characters’ true feelings and motivations remain largely unspoken. This hidden depth actually strengthens the film’s central theme, creating genuine tension and preventing it from becoming just another predictable survival story – something Send Help occasionally struggles with.

Send Help Delivers a Twisted Power Fantasy

What makes Send Help so engaging, even when it’s not at its strongest, is how effectively it captures the satisfying feeling of undervalued employees finally standing up to their bosses. Unfair situations are common, especially in the often harsh world of corporate jobs, and the story really highlights how competitive and ruthless that environment can be.

The film Send Help explores a power dynamic, not between friends, but between a boss and employee, highlighting how personal feelings can significantly impact someone’s career. While Bradley holds all the control in their everyday lives, and Linda’s talents are overlooked, the tables turn when they’re stranded in the wilderness, creating a compelling shift that truly connects with the audience.

Raimi crafts Linda as a character the audience genuinely cares about and wants to succeed, establishing her as a classic final girl. However, McAdams adds layers of complexity, hinting at a darker side and showcasing her acting versatility. This combination of vulnerability and hidden depth is what makes the film so compelling.

Although O’Brien is well-known for playing lovable characters, he’s incredibly frustrating to watch in Send Help. He immediately portrays Bradley as an incompetent and uncaring manager, making it hard to sympathize with him. However, the movie asks viewers to reconsider their initial impression and understand Bradley’s perspective once they learn more about the situation.

As the story reaches its end, it’s difficult to pick a side, as no one is clearly a hero or villain. While the characters are flawed, Send Help allows its leads to shine. Even if viewers aren’t fond of either character by the end, the actors delivered fantastic performances, making the overall situation genuinely tense and frightening.

Raimi thoroughly and honestly examines the nature of power in this film. It accurately portrays the anger many people feel at work, but also makes viewers consider their own limits and how they might act if they were in charge. The strong performances from the actors elevate this thrilling and disturbing social commentary.

Send Help Proves That the Best Stories are Simple

Films such as Nosferatu and Avatar: Fire and Ash prove that complicated stories can be very effective, particularly when they culminate in a satisfying resolution. However, movies like Send Help demonstrate that a straightforward, yet powerful, narrative can be just as compelling. Send Help, clocking in at just under two hours, manages to stay engaging despite some repetitive moments, especially within its survival sequences.

It’s difficult to clearly define who the ‘good guy’ and ‘bad guy’ are in this story. What’s clear, though, is that it’s about two people simply trying to cope with a difficult situation – except one of them seems to be taking a little too much pleasure in it. The story isn’t meant to be deep or thought-provoking; instead, it feels like a strange social experiment with an unpredictable outcome.

The premise – two rivals shipwrecked on an island, where the more resourceful one isn’t who you’d think – is a fantastic way to show that appearances can be deceiving. Linda is powerful, skilled, and a creative thinker, while Bradley is cunning and quick-witted. They make a strange pair, but their dynamic keeps the story consistently engaging.

Though Send Help isn’t a typical horror or even a straightforward thriller, it’s a compelling survival story that proves director Sam Raimi can master any genre. It leaves you eager to see what he does next. The film’s only real flaw is the occasional noticeable, though rare, use of visual effects, but it’s easily overlooked.

If you enjoy the work of Sam Raimi, Rachel McAdams, or Dylan O’Brien, you’ll likely love Send Help. It’s a funny, surprisingly dark, and clever film that’s a great introduction to a unique filmmaker. By the end, you might find you’ve gained some unexpected insights from a story about an impossible escape.

Send Help hits theaters worldwide on January 30, 2026.

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2026-01-26 20:14