Get ready for a darkly comedic psychological thriller as Sam Raimi strands Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien on a deserted island with their worst enemy: each other!
TL;DR: Quick Takeaways on Send Help
- Legendary director Sam Raimi's new film, Send Help, is a darkly comedic psychological thriller hitting theaters nationwide on January 30, 2026.
- Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien star as two colleagues, Linda Liddle and Bradley Preston, the sole survivors of a plane crash who must battle wills and wits on a deserted island.
- Expect an intense survival story wrapped in an empowering underdog tale, with Raimi's signature genre-bending style and a score by Danny Elfman.
Alright, movie buffs, listen up! The one and only Sam Raimi is back behind the camera for a feature film, and trust us, you’re going to want to hear about this. After giving us superhero epics like the original Spider-Man trilogy and diving into the MCU with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Raimi is returning to his genre-bending roots with Send Help. If you're a fan of his work on classics like The Evil Dead or even the darkly humorous Drag Me to Hell, this new project is definitely going to pique your interest.
It’s been a minute since Raimi fully let loose in a purely original genre space, and the excitement is palpable. Critics and fans alike have often praised his unique ability to blend intense thrills with unexpected comedic beats, and Send Help promises to deliver exactly that. He's known for pushing dynamic characters to their absolute limits, and it sounds like this film will be no exception. Get ready for a wild ride!
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Stranded with the Boss from Hell: What's the Story Behind 'Send Help'?
Imagine this nightmare scenario: you survive a horrific plane crash, only to find yourself stranded on a deserted island with the one person you absolutely cannot stand – your terrible boss. That’s the deliciously twisted premise of Send Help, starring the fantastic Rachel McAdams as Linda Liddle and Dylan O’Brien as her insufferable superior, Bradley Preston.
Linda Liddle is described as the most capable, hardworking, and tragically overlooked member of her consulting firm's strategy and planning team. Bradley, on the other hand, is... well, not so capable. In fact, he’s pretty much a workplace bully who consistently undervalues Linda. The trailer gives us a glimpse of Bradley dismissing Linda's ideas, reminding her he doesn't see the benefit of promoting her, and pushing her to "prove herself" with an upcoming Bangkok merger they never make it to.
After the crash, these two find themselves as the sole survivors. Bradley is badly injured and in and out of consciousness, making him completely dependent on Linda. Suddenly, the power dynamics flip. Linda, who apparently has a knack for survivalist hobbies, starts to put her skills to the test. This isn’t just about making it off the island; it’s about a deeply unsettling, darkly humorous battle of wills and wits as Linda turns the tables on her former oppressor. Watching Linda assert her dominance over an injured, helpless Bradley promises some deeply satisfying moments for anyone who's ever dealt with a difficult boss!
Sam Raimi himself was drawn to this dynamic, saying:
"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."
So, yes, it's a thrilling survival story, but it's also a timely narrative about empowerment and societal respect, all wrapped up in Raimi's signature style. Comparisons to classics like Lost, Castaway, and even Misery are already floating around, which gives you a pretty good idea of the intense, character-driven journey we're in for.
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Meet the Talented Cast & Crew Bringing 'Send Help' to Life
Beyond the compelling premise and Raimi’s vision, Send Help boasts an impressive lineup both in front of and behind the camera.
The Cast:
- Rachel McAdams as Linda Liddle (known for Spotlight, Doctor Strange, Mean Girls)
- Dylan O'Brien as Bradley Preston (known for The Maze Runner, Teen Wolf, Twinless)
- Edyll Ismail (La Brea)
- Dennis Haysbert (Far from Heaven, 24, Major League)
- Xavier Samuel (Elvis)
- Chris Pang (Crazy Rich Asians, Joy Ride)
- Thaneth Warakulnukroh (Thai Cave Rescue)
- Emma Raimi (Happy Pills)
- Brad Flett (Additional role)
Behind the Scenes:
The screenplay for this darkly comedic survival thriller was penned by the writing duo Damian Shannon and Mark Swift. If those names sound familiar to horror fans, it’s because they’re behind some iconic genre scripts like Freddy vs. Jason and the 2009 remake of Friday the 13th, as well as the action-comedy Baywatch. Their experience with high-stakes scenarios and character conflict makes them a perfect fit for Raimi’s vision.
Adding another layer of Raimi magic is legendary composer Danny Elfman, who has scored Send Help. This marks Elfman’s eighth collaboration with the director, having previously worked together on films like Darkman, Spider-Man 1 & 2, Army of Darkness, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. You know that haunting, quirky, and unforgettable musical style Elfman brings? Get ready for it to amplify the suspense and dark humor of Send Help!
The film is produced by Sam Raimi himself alongside Zainab Azizi, with JJ Hook serving as executive producer. It’s clear this is a passion project with a strong creative team backing it.
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When and Where You Can Finally Watch Sam Raimi's 'Send Help'
Good news, everyone! In a world where many smaller, original films sometimes go straight to streaming, Send Help is hitting the big screen where it belongs. 20th Century Studios will be releasing the film nationwide in theaters. This means you'll get the full, immersive experience of Linda and Bradley's island ordeal, complete with all the tension, laughs, and stunning visuals Raimi is known for.
Mark your calendars and get ready to book those tickets, because Send Help premieres on January 30, 2026. Yes, that’s early next year, so we’ve got a bit of a wait, but trust us, this one sounds like it’ll be worth it. The first official trailer for the movie dropped on October 14, 2025, giving us a tantalizing taste of the action, and it even screened in theaters before The Black Phone 2. If you haven't seen it yet, hunt it down on YouTube – it's a fantastic sneak peek into the dark, comedic chaos awaiting us!
Frequently Asked Questions About Sam Raimi's 'Send Help' Thriller
Q: When is Sam Raimi's Send Help coming out in theaters? A: Send Help is set to debut in theaters nationwide on January 30, 2026.
Q: Is Send Help a horror movie? A: It's officially described as a "darkly comedic psychological thriller." While it comes from horror maestro Sam Raimi and features survival elements, it blends horror with dark comedy, making it a unique genre experience rather than a straightforward horror film.
Q: Where can I watch Send Help? A: Send Help will be released exclusively in theaters nationwide by 20th Century Studios. There's no news yet about streaming release dates, so plan to catch it on the big screen first!
Q: Who wrote the screenplay for Send Help? A: The screenplay was written by the creative team of Damian Shannon and Mark Swift, known for their work on films like Freddy vs. Jason and Friday the 13th.
Q: What is Send Help about? A: The film follows two colleagues, Linda Liddle (Rachel McAdams) and her "terrible boss" Bradley Preston (Dylan O'Brien), who are the sole survivors of a plane crash and find themselves stranded on a deserted island. They must overcome their past workplace grievances and battle wits and wills to survive, with Linda's survival skills becoming key.
Q: What's Sam Raimi's last movie before Send Help? A: Sam Raimi's last directorial effort before Send Help was Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, released in 2022.
Sources:
- FirstShowing.net - "McAdams & O'Brien in Sam Raimi's 'Send Help' Island Thriller Trailer"
- Deadline - "20th Century Studios Unveils Trailer For Sam Raimi’s ‘Send Help’ Starring Rachel McAdams & Dylan O’Brien"
- MovieWeb - "Sam Raimi's Send Help Trailer Finds Rachel McAdams & Dylan O'Brien Stranded"
- GamesRadar+ - "Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien are stranded with the boss from hell in Sam Raimi's new horror-thriller Send Help"
- Screen Anarchy - "SEND HELP: Trailer & Poster For Sam Raimi's New Thriller, Starring Rachel McAdams And Dylan O'Brien"
- Creepy Catalog - "Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien Are Trapped on a Deserted Island With the Boss She Hates in Sam Raimi's Send Help"
- Bloody Disgusting - "'Send Help' Trailer – Sam Raimi & Writers of 'Freddy vs. Jason' Team for Dark Comedy Survival Movie"
- Collider - "Sam Raimi's 'Send Help' Trailer Reveals Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien Stranded"
- FANGOIRA - "New Images From Sam Raimi's SEND HELP"
- Keith & the Movies - "First Glance: 'Send Help' (First Trailer & Poster)"