Film Review: Send Help

Welcome back to the blog readers. If you were following me throughout 2025, then you would know that I have a love/hate relationship with horror films. Last year was the best year for horror films that I have ever been a part of, and 2026 is getting off to a pretty decent start. This film has been on my radar ever since I heard about it since I love who is in the director's chair. The reviews were very kind to the film and I got hopeful I would have a fun time. Would my hope spring eternal or would I be let down? Stick around to find out.

Send Help was directed by Sam Raimi from a screenplay by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift. The film stars Rachel McAdams, Dylan O'Brien, Edyll Ismail, Xavier Samuel, Chris Pang, and Dennis Haysbert. In the film, the newly-minted CEO of a company and one of his workers find themselves stranded on an island after their plane crashes, and learn that the power dynamic has changed on this island as they fight nature and themselves to survive.

As I mentioned in my introductory paragraph, the reviews for this film were glowing. And to be honest, I really did not expect that to happen since his last film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) was not received very well. I went into this with an open mind, however, and I found myself shocked at how much I loved this film. The performances of Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien are stellar, as is the cinematography and the messages regarding power and influence.

I want to talk about the performance of Rachel McAdams. McAdams has been in the industry for a while and has appeared in numerous films like The Notebook (2004), Wedding Crashers (2006), Midnight in Paris (2011), Spotlight (2015), and Doctor Strange (2016) and its aforementioned sequel Multiverse of Madness. As bumbling low-level strategist Linda Liddle, she completely morphs into the role at a speed that I could not have imagined. It is not often when we see her character be lesser than everyone else, but it is fascinating when we do. However, when we get on the island and Linda becomes an unshakable force, it is mesmerizing to watch a character with an insane level of control and focus. I know this isn't the kind of film that will get a sequel, but that will not happen so I will never get to see this wonderful character again.

And now we have to talk about the performance of Dylan O'Brien. I cannot say I have ever been enamored with him and his work, especially since his claim to fame in the Maze Runner films was never my cup of tea. He has appeared in films like Deepwater Horizon (2016), American Assassin (2017), Saturday Night (2024), and Twinless (2025), but his psychotic turn as Bradley Preston in this film should be studied in film school. It was utterly glorious to see him play outside of type (especially for him). Every vitriolic word he says and every despicable action he takes is stellar from start to finish. I could feel the power and the brashness through the screen, and thought this bitter performance was my favorite of the young year. This is the best I have ever seen him.

The next point of praise I have for this film has to be with the cinematography. Our man behind the camera is Bill Pope, who has been a frequent collaborator of director Sam Raimi, having been the cinematographer for four of his films (five including this one). He has also done films like Baby Driver (2017), The Matrix (1999), and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021). He brings a level of prestige to the film, and the way he shoots this film makes you feel as if you are in a paranoid mindscape. Some of the shot selections (that are clearly done with drones) feel grand in scale and make the film seem important in that regard. I hope this guy gets to do some more amazing things in the future because he can for sure go.

And finally, I want to end this review by talking about the messaging of the film. The corporate world is a very male-dominated one, and it is often rare to see a woman in a real position of power. One of the themes I noticed in this film was toxic masculinity, and the way Bradley treats Linda is very indicative of this fact. He orders her around with no fear of repercussion, he scolds her, and he even makes fun of her. Another major theme that I took note of in this film has to be power and influence. When the film starts, Linda is a punching bag for Bradley. By the end of the film, she is in total and complete control over her situation. The power shifted and getting to see this transformation was stunning. And the script was written to perfection.

In conclusion, Send Help is a slick and emotionally resonating film that examines a real issue in our society and flips it on its head in a brilliantly acted way. Thank you all for reading, and I will see you for the next post.