SEND HELP (2025) – Sam Raimi Misses the Mark in this Dark Comedy

In Send Help, director Sam Raimi—famed for his work on the Evil Dead series and the original Spider-Man trilogy starring Tobey Maguire—ventures outside his comfort zone to deliver a dark workplace comedy. The film stars Rachel McAdams as Linda, a nerdy, underappreciated employee who suddenly finds herself marooned on a deserted island with her insufferably arrogant boss, Preston (played by Dylan O’Brien). While Raimi is best known for horror and superhero fare, here he shifts gears, offering a satirical take on power dynamics and revenge, all served with a sly wink—and occasional flashes of his signature gore.

Rachel McAdams, stepping away from her usual romantic comedy roles, transforms into Linda—a decidedly awkward and somewhat sinister character. McAdams has long been a personal favorite of mine, and while her portrayal here is convincing, the character of Linda borders on grating rather than endearing. It’s a testament to McAdams’ range that she’s able to craft such a drastically different persona, but unfortunately, Linda is not someone audiences are likely to root for or want to befriend. Her performance is memorable, yet the character’s off-putting qualities make genuine investment difficult.

The film’s setup—engineered to strand Linda and Preston on the island—stretches the limits of plausibility. The story conveniently leverages Linda’s obsession with the popular reality show Survival, giving her a leg up when it comes to navigating the island’s challenges. However, the plot twists that unfold in the third act veer into the absurd, betraying a lack of authentic storytelling. Much of the island drama feels repetitive and tacked on for action’s sake and could easily have been trimmed without affecting the core narrative.

While Rachel McAdams emerges from Send Help relatively unscathed, the movie ultimately lands as a disappointment—especially from a director of Sam Raimi’s caliber. The humor often feels forced, and with both leads being rather unlikable, it’s hard for viewers to connect or care about their fates. In the end, Send Help offers mild entertainment—best suited for those seeking a light watch that doesn’t demand much mental energy. For fans of either McAdams or Raimi, it’s an interesting curiosity, but not a standout in either’s filmography.