Review: Send Help (2026)

Rachel McAdams, versatile queen.

Sam Raimi’s new film is a wickedly good time and a gory delight! This was the most fun I’ve had at the movie theater in a minute.

The film follows Linda Liddle (Rachel McAdams), a homely, overlooked strategist who becomes stranded on an island with her obnoxiously arrogant boss, Bradley Preston (Dylan O’Brien), as the sole survivors of their plane crash. The tables are turned as Bradley becomes dependent on Linda to survive.

Admittedly, Send Help has a slightly slow start. The first act is the weakest part of the film. You have to sit through a few cliches and caricatures in an unremarkable corporate environment. There is also some lulling on the island and questionable CGI, but nothing egregious. I still found it wonderfully entertaining due to Sam Raimi’s direction.

Raimi’s playfulness and cheekiness are evident throughout the runtime. There are brilliant comedic moments combined with elements of horror. He provides such a visceral experience with intense close-ups and wild camera angles. Even in the first act, he generates tension from what could be really dull character interactions.

Raimi also pulls phenomenal performances out of Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien. They speak about the direction they received in the clip below, and it’s hilarious. But it clearly worked!

@ign"This is not a Canadian picture." #sendhelp #rachelmcadams #dylanobrien #samraimi #movie #interview

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McAdams and O’Brien’s chemistry is off the charts; they bounce off one another really well. This makes their shifting power dynamic fun and fascinating to watch. Every interaction is electric and full of energy. You never get the sense that their circumstances or relationship will remain the same for long. Part of why that works is that they add needed depth and complexity to their characters.

Dylan O’Brien is the ultimate douchebag as Bradley. He is as bratty and entitled as you’d expect—down to his ridiculous laugh. Bradley’s the type of character you love to make fun of and hate on. O’Brien plays up the asshole tendencies with impeccable comedic timing, but he also grounds him in a way where you can’t help but sympathize with Bradley. You never 100% root against him.

As for Rachel McAdams, she’s one of the most versatile actresses of her generation. On top of being extremely captivating, funny and charismatic, she fully commits to every single scenario thrown her way, and it’s always convincing. Her depiction of Linda is so layered because she gives this character hints of instability and craziness—not too much so you can still root for her, but just enough to make you question her morals and intentions.

There’s an unpredictability in the performances and direction where you can’t truly trust or rely on anyone’s point of view or motivations. It makes for an exhilarating watch and builds to a crazy last act, where all bets are off, and anything can happen. The end is bloody, over the top and cartoonish in the best way possible. There’s also an incredible match cut; you’ll know it when you see it.

I wholeheartedly recommend watching Send Help in theaters! You won’t be disappointed. Hearing the audience roar and cackle will make the experience all the better.