Send Help (2026)


Sam Raimi, except for the premiere episode of Ash vs. Evil Dead, had backed away from directing after the disastrous flop Oz the Great and Powerful.  It was the best decision at the time as that movie had little of what made Raimi great, either as a classic horror director or as the director of one of the best superhero films of all time.  It was a tired piece of work-for-hire Hollywood pablum that would cause anyone to question their career choices.

Despite his reluctance to get behind the camera again he was talked into directing a Marvel film, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.  Despite being a latter-day Marvel production it was a solid fantasy flick and was recognizably a Sam Raimi film despite all its flaws.  Although it had a mixed reception it got him interested in directing again and, lo and behold, we got Send Help in early 2026. 

Linda Liddle (Rachel McAdams) is the hardworking head of the strategy and planning department of her company.  She is next in line for a vice president position.  Unfortunately, the founder of the company passes away, and that leaves his son Bradley Preston (Dylan O'Brien) in charge of the company.  Rather than run it like his father did he begins using it as a way of luring women into his office and promoting his friends.  Instead of the promised position Linda finds herself quickly pushed out of the boys' club.

While on a flight to Bangkok to do a presentation the corporate jet runs into bad weather and crash lands near a desert island.  Everyone on board, except for Linda and Bradley, are killed.  The two make it to shore with Preston unconscious and suffering a dangerous leg injury.  She nurses him back to health and, with all of the skills she has studied as a fan of the show Survivor, Linda sets out to make as comfortable a life for them as she can while emphasizing that she is now the one in charge.  However, things become complicated as Linda begins to enjoy her new life, viewing any chance of rescue as a threat. 

McAdams plays Liddle with a healthy dose of Annie Wilkes thrown in here and there for good measure.  O'Brien plays Preston as can be expected, not as a mature business owner but as a frat boy that never grew up.  It's an age-old premise, one that Raimi exploits for both laughs and terror, often at the same time.  There are a number of scenes, such as with Linda hunting a wild boar, where it is hard to tell if the awful CGI animal is meant to get a laugh on purpose.

The ending is a bit predictable and not all audiences were in tune with it, but at least there is a lot of good leading up to it thanks to writers Damian Shannon and Mark Swift as well as Raimi himself tweaking things throughout.  The result is that Send Help, though far from his best movie and far from perfect, is still the best he has done since Spider-Man 2.  Also, unlike many of the movies he has worked on recently, this only had a modest budget and easily earned it back during its theatrical run.  Not only did Raimi make a solid entertaining film but he once again proved that he can do it without the entire MCU behind him. 

Send Help (2026)
Time: 113 minutes
Starring: Rachel McAdams, Dylan O'Brien
Director: Sam Raimi

 

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