The latest from director Sam Raimi takes him back to the genre in which he became most popular: horror. But in my mind, “Send Help” isn’t a full-blown horror film.
I’d label this a survival thriller. It’s campy, bloody, zany, tense, rude and often hilarious in mostly all the right places. When a film can get the entire theater laughing together about a boss and his employee being stranded on an island, it’s a victory. With the stakes they end up in, you’d think comedy would be an afterthought, but it remains embedded throughout.
“Send Help” (2026) Review | Rachel McAdams Like You’ve Never Seen Before
Not Your Usual Rachel McAdams
One thing is for certain: you’ve never seen Rachel McAdams like this before. Her character is Linda Liddle, and she works in strategy and planning. She’s quiet in the office, doesn’t really take care of her physical appearance, per se, and is very socially awkward. All she wants is the big promotion, and it’s her new boss who stands in the way. However, it’s not until the plane crash happens that we see Linda’s true form and nature. I really enjoyed her character arc in this.
Her boss, Bradley Preston, is portrayed very well by Dylan O’Brien. He absolutely nails the asshole, entitled boss who just got a major company handed to him due to his father’s passing. Even his cackle screams, “I’m better than you.” But things change, and once the island comes, Bradley is tested.
Chemistry & Tension Between Our Leads
I thought that the chemistry between McAdams and O’Brien was good. They were able to play off one another well enough to believe what was happening and how they felt toward one another. The tension is thick, and it would take some force to cut through it. There are many instances in this where you’re really not sure what the other is thinking, which makes for some surprises and twists. What are each of them capable of? How are they going to survive? Will they make it home? It was fun to watch them go back and forth, but it’s truly Rachel McAdams who steals each and every scene, especially on the island.
Sam Raimi Back To His Old Bag of Tricks
Sam Raimi fans will notice all of his little tricks and directing tendencies, mainly in his camera work and what he likes to do with it. There are close-ups of eyes and other body parts, along with scene transitions. It’s all vintage Sam Raimi, even the gore and blood, which at times is very campy, but I don’t think it takes away too much from the film. That’s the Raimi effect.
If you like Raimi’s work, then “Send Help” is right in your wheelhouse. Just don’t expect a straight-up horror film, as you’ll be greatly disappointed if that’s the case. This is a survival thriller in my eyes, with sprinkles and dustings of horror. I will say, however, there is one jump scare that completely got me. I did not see it coming, and I did jolt a bit in my seat.
Unexpectedly Funny Yet Campy
There is really a lot of comedy in this that I wasn’t expecting. Whether it was intentional or not, there were many instances where the entire theater burst out laughing. Unfortunately, there are also jokes and moments that felt forced and too quirky. It wasn’t all doom and gloom, though, which is kind of expected when two people are stranded on an island trying to survive. Raimi was able to add comedy in unexpected places, and a lot of that circles back to the lead performances.
“Send Help” was more enjoyable than I thought it would be, and much of that credit goes to Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien, who were a great pair. It’s filled with the kind of culture that only Sam Raimi can create in his films that fans love to see. Is it a little too campy? At times, sure, but I think that’s part of the charm they’re trying to toss into this. For the most part, it works out and is worth the watch.
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