Sam Raimi's 'Send Help' Trailer Drops: Rachel McAdams & Dylan O'Brien Stranded

Get ready for a wild ride! The first trailer for Sam Raimi's latest horror-thriller, "Send Help," is here, promising a darkly comedic survival story with Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien in a battle of wits.

TL;DR: Quick Takes on "Send Help"

• Master of Horror Returns: Sam Raimi is back directing his first original horror film since 2009's "Drag Me to Hell."
• Island Survival with a Twist: Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien star as unlikely plane crash survivors – an undervalued employee and her terrible boss – stranded on a deserted island.
• Theatrical Release in 2026: Mark your calendars for January 30, 2026, when this psychological thriller hits cinemas from 20th Century Studios.

Alright, film fans, hold onto your seats because a legend is making a full-throttle return to his roots! Sam Raimi, the visionary director behind iconic horror flicks like The Evil Dead and Drag Me to Hell, isn't just producing anymore – he's back in the director's chair for a brand-new, original horror thriller called "Send Help." And if the newly released trailer is anything to go by, we're in for a truly wild, darkly comedic, and intensely psychological ride.

Starring the incredible Rachel McAdams and dynamic Dylan O'Brien, this movie promises to deliver everything we love about Raimi's unique blend of scares and humor. We’ve finally got our first peek at images and a full trailer, giving us a taste of the twisted island adventure awaiting us. Let's dive into all the details!

Sam Raimi's Epic Return to Original Horror Storytelling

It's been a minute since Sam Raimi directed a purely original horror film – 2009's cult favorite Drag Me to Hell was his last. While he gave us a dose of his signature kinetic horror in Marvel's 2022 hit Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (which, let's be honest, felt like a Raimi horror film in superhero clothing), fans have been yearning for him to go full-on genre again. Well, the wait is almost over!

Raimi himself told Entertainment Weekly what drew him to this project: "I found the two lead characters, Linda and Bradley, to be complex, human, and constantly at odds with each other in often conflicting situations. The pitch was outrageous and original, all the while tracking these two in their conflict as their power dynamic changed dramatically. I knew right away that I wanted to direct this picture."

"What I really love about this story is that it’s an underdog tale at its core. Not only is it about survival on a deserted island, but it’s also a story of female empowerment and transformation. Watching a once-powerful boss find himself dependent on someone he underestimated is satisfying. Our story is universal! We need to encourage our society to treat people with respect and kindness, regardless of status. It’s especially rewarding to see our heroine, Linda, come into her own in such an unexpected environment."

— Sam Raimi, Director of "Send Help" (via Entertainment Weekly)

That quote perfectly encapsulates the heart of this movie, blending thrilling survival with a powerful character journey. This isn't just about escaping a deserted island; it's about escaping the toxic dynamics of the workplace and finding your strength when everything's stripped away.

The Unlikely Survival Duo: Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien's Chemistry

The core of "Send Help" lies in its two leads, Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien, who play Linda Liddle and Bradley Preston, respectively. They're colleagues, and as the trailer vividly illustrates, Bradley is Linda's insufferable, misogynistic boss. The film kicks off when their business flight crashes, leaving them as the sole survivors stranded on a remote island. Talk about a bad company retreat!

The trailer shows Bradley, injured and dependent, making condescending remarks to Linda, like, "As an executive, I see no value in you. You know we have the Bangkok merger coming up. Prove me wrong." Oh, he's about to get a serious reality check. Linda quickly turns the tables, declaring, "We're not in the office anymore, Bradley," and, "You are stuck with an asshole boss, just like I was. Although I'm betting I'm a much nicer boss than you would have ever been — except for maybe this part." McAdams is clearly channeling her inner "Mean Girl" sass, but with a survivalist edge!

This shifting power dynamic is what Raimi found so compelling. Linda, initially an undervalued employee with "serious survival skills," becomes Bradley's only hope. It's a psychological battle as much as a fight against the elements, promising some truly unsettling and darkly humorous moments.

A Genre-Bending Blend of Horror and Humor

"Send Help" is being pitched as "darkly comedic" and a "psychological thriller," with early descriptions comparing it to "Misery meets Cast Away." Imagine the isolation and struggle of Cast Away mixed with the intense, unsettling interpersonal conflict of Stephen King's Misery. Sounds like a recipe for a classic Raimi film, doesn't it?

The script, penned by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift (known for their work on Freddy vs. Jason and Friday the 13th), sounds like it's perfectly crafted for Raimi's sensibilities. The director has always excelled at blending gruesome scares with laugh-out-loud moments, making his horror unique and memorable. Adding to the creative firepower, frequent Raimi collaborator Danny Elfman is composing the original score, which is always a treat.

Dylan O'Brien himself shared a great anecdote from a conversation with Raimi: "He was like, ‘I love the movie. It’s weird. It’s wacky. I think a lot of people might love it, too. I also think some might not,’ And I was like, ‘Well, that’s great.’ To me, we’ve succeeded if that’s the case." That's the kind of confident, boundary-pushing spirit we love to see in a horror flick!

Meet the Cast Bringing "Send Help" to Life on Screen

Beyond our two fantastic leads, "Send Help" boasts a solid supporting cast:

• Rachel McAdams as Linda Liddle
• Dylan O'Brien as Bradley Preston
• Chris Pang (from Crazy Rich Asians and Interior Chinatown)
• Dennis Haysbert (a veteran of 24 and Far From Heaven)
• Edyll Ismail (seen in La Brea)
• Xavier Samuel (who appeared in Elvis)
• Thaneth Warakulnukroh (from Thai Cave Rescue)
• Emma Raimi (from Happy Pills)

With this talented ensemble, we can expect some seriously engaging performances, especially given the intense, character-driven nature of the plot.

The Road to Release: When Can You Watch "Send Help"?

The production timeline for "Send Help" moved pretty quickly once things got going. Rachel McAdams was reportedly in talks back in October 2024, and filming kicked off in early February of this year. Now, we're seeing the fruits of that labor with the trailer and first images hitting the web.

Get ready to mark your calendars because 20th Century Studios is bringing "Send Help" to theaters nationwide on January 30, 2026. Yes, that's right, a theatrical release for an original Sam Raimi horror film! In an era where many smaller films go straight to streaming, it's exciting to see Raimi's vision get the big-screen treatment it deserves. It promises to be a fantastic way to kick off the new year for horror fans.

Frequently Asked Questions About "Send Help"

When does Sam Raimi's "Send Help" come out in theaters?

You can catch "Send Help" in theaters starting on January 30, 2026. It's a 20th Century Studios release, so expect it at your local cinema!

Who are the main stars of the "Send Help" movie?

The film stars Rachel McAdams as Linda Liddle and Dylan O'Brien as Bradley Preston, the two plane crash survivors. Other cast members include Chris Pang, Dennis Haysbert, and Edyll Ismail.

What is "Send Help" about, exactly?

"Send Help" is a darkly comedic horror thriller about an undervalued employee, Linda (Rachel McAdams), and her "jerk boss," Bradley (Dylan O'Brien), who are the only survivors of a plane crash on a deserted island. They must overcome their past grievances and shifting power dynamics to survive, making it a battle of wits and wills.

What's the rating and runtime for "Send Help"?

As of now, the official rating (e.g., PG-13, R) and the exact runtime for "Send Help" have not yet been announced. We'll update you as soon as that information becomes available!

Sources:

• Cody Hamman, "First images and trailer unveiled for Sam Raimi’s horror thriller Send Help, starring Rachel McAdams" (Arrow in the Head)
• Ryan Gajewski, "Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien Bring Office Politics to the Beach in Sam Raimi’s ‘Send Help’ Trailer" (The Hollywood Reporter)
• Matt Grobar, "Sam Raimi’s ‘Send Help’ Trailer: Rachel McAdams & Dylan O’Brien Are Stranded With One Another In Darkly Comedic Horror Thriller" (Deadline)
• Alex Billington, "McAdams & O'Brien in Sam Raimi's 'Send Help' Island Thriller Trailer" (FirstShowing.net)
• Ben Travis, "Send Help Trailer: Sam Raimi Returns To Horror With Blood-Spattered Survival Thriller" (Empire)
• Roger Moore, "Movie Preview: Sam Raimi’s putting Rachel McAdams in Peril? ‘Send Help!’" (Movie Nation)
• Christian Zilko, "‘Send Help’ Trailer: Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien Are Deserted on an Island Together in Sam Raimi’s Latest Thriller" (IndieWire)
• "Sam Raimi's Rachel McAdams-Led Horror Thriller Gets First Look Images and Trailer" (MovieWeb)
• Amy West, "Rachel McAdams gets stranded on an island with her mean manager in the intriguing first trailer for Sam Raimi's Send Help" (GamesRadar+)
• Dempsey Pillot, "SEE IT: First Poster, Trailer For Sam Raimi’s New Film ‘Send Help’" (Daily Disney News)