20th Century Studios presents Send Help in UK and Irish cinemas now.
Synopsis
A survival horror thriller about two colleagues who become stranded on a deserted island, the only survivors of a plane crash. On the island, they must overcome past grievances and work together to survive, but ultimately, it’s a battle of wills and wits to make it out alive.
Review
Sam Raimi is back in the director’s chair for his latest outing, Send Help. This is an absolute blast to watch—a film that feels like a genuine return to the unhinged energy of his early career.
The movie is overflowing with “Raimi-isms” in the best way possible. You get those iconic, aggressive, old-school jump scares; that perfect blend of “slapstick gore” where you aren’t sure if you should be laughing or recoiling; and even a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Bruce Campbell cameo. It’s mean, it’s kinetic, and it has that specific brand of dark humor that Raimi has perfected over his long and decorated career.
The two leads, Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien, are fantastic and carry the entire energy of the film. McAdams plays Linda Little, a highly talented but meek corporate strategist (not an accountant!) who was promised a promotion but lost it to a new sexist boss and his “buddy” coworker.
Once she’s stranded on a deserted island, she flourishes thanks to the survival books she’s read and episodes of Survivor she’s watched. McAdams perfectly captures this meek woman finding her strength, adding comedic wit to the character as she comes out of her shell.
On the other side of the situation is Bradley (Dylan O’Brien), the son of the late president of Linda’s company. O’Brien plays the role so well that you cannot help but detest the character from the moment you meet him. Their roles are reversed on the island, however; Bradley’s money and influence, which he has relied on his entire life, amount to nothing, leaving him an utterly useless man-child who must rely on Linda to survive. O’Brien’s performance is brilliant, portraying a smug douche with a plethora of facial expressions that were a constant standout.
Watching the power dynamic shift as they go from boss and employee to two people literally trying to survive (and occasionally sabotage) each other is pure gold. Their chemistry grounds the movie even when the survival elements get truly wild.
The only thing holding the film back from a perfect score is a handful of cheap special effects. There were a few moments, particularly during the wider island shots, where it felt far too fake—one shot of birds flying past really stands out. Additionally, some interactions with wildlife were a bit unpolished. It’s a letdown when the practical effects and camerawork are so top-tier, only to have a distractingly cartoonish CGI shot pull you out of the tension. However, that’s a small price to pay for a movie with this much personality and soul.
Verdict
Send Help is a reminder that we need more directors who aren’t afraid to have a “signature” look. If you’re a fan of Drag Me to Hell or Evil Dead, you’re going to love this—it’s a chaotic, hilarious, and thrilling ride that needs to be seen on the big screen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
