Send Help: McAdams' furious survival thriller is killer fun

The office may be a Darwinian concrete jungle but real power comes to light in the wilderness.

Directed by Sam Raimi, Send Help tells the story of Linda Liddle (Rachel McAdams), a highly-valuable office worker who is in line for a major promotion. But, when her boss’ death makes way for his entitled son, Bradley Preston (Dylan O’Brien), to take the reins of power, Linda finds herself on the chopping block. Then, after a devastating plane crash leaves the two co-workers as the only survivors on a deserted island, Linda’s preparedness upends their power dynamics. This reversal creates a battle of wills and wits between Bradley and Linda that will require them to work past their workplace grievances if they want to make it out alive.

Send Help is a delicious return to form for veteran filmmaker, Raimi. In some ways, it’s hard to believe that this is only his third directorial effort since 2009’s Drag Me to Hell. However, the time away seems to have done him well. Bouncing with energy, Raimi seems to be reinvigorated. This is the sort of project that feels perfect for his cinematic sensibilities. Paired once again with McAdams, his unique blend of horror and humour feels both familiar and fresh.

Here, Raimi is allowed to unleash his freakish sense of humour with gory results. Even in moments that feel over-the-top silly, Send Help still stays true to the absurdity and raw violence of its premise. It’s bloody and brutal but it does so with a wink. As a result, there are moments that feel like you’re watching classic Raimi comedies like Spider-Man. And there are moments where you feel like you’re watching Army of Darkness.

(And, yes. Without spoilers, there is a brief ode to Raimi’s muse, Bruce Campbell. See if you can find it.)

What’s more, in McAdams, Raimi may have found a new partner-in-crime. Having worked together on Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness, the two seem to bring out the best in one another. Raimi knows how to use McAdams’ comedic timing while McAdams seems game for whatever the director asks of her. And the result is a deliciously malevolent performance by McAdams, who seems perfectly comfortable bathing herself in blood while carrying a smile on her face. In Help, the actress is funny and ferocious at the same time. (“Have you ever been hunting? I think I like it,” she sneers menacingly.)

Even so, Raimi and McAdams have more than murderous mayhem on their mind. From the boardroom to the beach, Helpunderstands the real horrors happen within the power dynamics of everyday life. Within the context of their company walls, Bradley’s authority is total. Despite being told of Linda’s value to the corporation, he views women strictly through the male sexual gaze. And, to Bradley, Linda simply doesn’t register, leaving her as the most expendable piece of his toxic male puzzle.

But things change quickly when the two land in their Survivor-like setting.

With the roles reversed, Bradley’s positional authority disappears instantly when faced with issues of genuine survival. And, having all the knowledge necessary to outlive and outlast her opponent, Linda positively revels in her newfound authority. Asserting her power with malicious intent, Linda feels both vindicated and vindictive when making decisions about Bradley’s well-being. Although she was prevented from moving up in the office, this world is not only thrilling to her. It’s also addicting. Every action that she takes to protect them on the beach feels noble yet also remains tinted with vengeance.

As a result, while Send Help speaks on behalf of the empowerment of women, the film never entirely excuses Linda’s behaviour either. We cheer for her… but recognize that toxic power imbalance isn’t entirely rooted in gender politics. Instead, it’s rooted within our brokenness and our need for validation.

In other words, Send Help reminds us that absolute power corrupts… everyone.

Admittedly, the structure of Send Help feels similar to 2022’s Triangle of Sadness, another comedy that highlights the reversal of authority after an unexpected crash-landing. However, make no mistake. Help carves out an island adventure all its own. By focusing only on the relationship between Liddle and Preston, Send Help feels entirely unpredictable as the two battle each other for dominance. This is a film that veers wildly in tone between revenge film and romcom, leaving the film’s unexpected finale firmly in question to the bitter (and bloody) end.

Send Help is available in theatres on Friday, January 30^th, 2026.