“Send Help” is directed by Sam Raimi (Spider-Man, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) and stars Rachel McAdams (Mean Girls, Game Night), Dylan O’Brien (The Maze Runner, Teen Wolf), Edyll Ismail (La Brea, Ghosts), Xavier Samuel (Blonde, Tell Me Your Secrets), Chris Pang (As We See It, Blade of the 47 Ronin), and Dennis Haysbert (24, Now and Again). This film follows office employee Linda Liddle and her boss Bradley Preston as the two individuals, whose personalities and backgrounds could not be more different, do what they can to survive while stranded on an island.

Sam Raimi is a director who defined my love for movies and the art of filmmaking. Raimi directed Tobey Maguire in three “Spider-Man” movies, a trilogy that defined my childhood. Since then, I have gone on to enjoy some of his other works including “Evil Dead,” “Army of Darkness,” “Oz the Great and Powerful,” and “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.” Raimi is a master storyteller whether he is doing something original or working with popular IPs. If there was any reason for me to be excited for “Send Help,” he was it. Not to say that the film lacked talent in front of the camera, as the film starred Rachel McAdams, who recently worked with Raimi in “Multiverse of Madness.” Alongside her is Dylan O’Brien, who I have grown to appreciate with each role he’s taken through the years.

Having talented people on your project is a great start. Though that does not guarantee the movie will be good. For example, I love me some Wes Anderson. But his last couple movies have been a bit too off the rails for me. Hopefully, that would not be the case with Sam Raimi’s latest flick. Thankfully, “Send Help” brings out the best in its cast and crew in just about every regard.

Given his past work, some would say Sam Raimi is a master of horror. “Send Help,” while not Raimi’s scariest film, undoubtedly taps into his horrific tendencies when it comes to showing the brutality of a plane crash or the adrenaline rush of hunting in the woods. One of my favorite scenes of the film is a one on one between Linda Liddle and a boar. Despite her clear obsession with the outdoors and nature, the scene does a good job at showing she is still afraid of the near inevitability of doom while in an unfamiliar environment.

As a master of horror, Sam Raimi also manages to implement perhaps one of the scariest concepts of all time… Office culture. The concept is probably a pinch scarier knowing that a woman is the protagonist. While the film is set inside the office, we come to realize that employees are sometimes punished for having lunch at their desk, even if time does not allow them to have it elsewhere. For people like Linda, it is difficult to achieve career growth. Part of this is because the higher-ups tend to maintain a bro culture, one of whom happens to be Bradley Preston, the son of Linda’s former boss.

The script for “Send Help” starts off fantastic and only becomes more compelling by the second. It is full of twists and turns, each of which made sense despite some colossal shock value. Everything feels very contained. There are not many characters in the film, which works in its favor as it allows each individual to stand out. The movie perfects the chemistry between Linda and Bradley. They are finely tuned frenemies. Throughout the movie, we learn about these characters’ pasts and personalities. Both are well written, and when it comes to Linda Liddle in particular, it is the little things that stand out like her passion for “Survivor,” the fact that she has cats, or her karaoke song of choice being Blondie’s “One Way or Another.” Is this a “Mean Girls” easter egg? Perhaps. Regardless of the reason the song is in the movie, it works perfectly.

For the record, Sam Raimi did not write this movie. Screenwriting duo Mark Swift and Damian Shannon handled those duties. Their previous work does not boast high confidence as their resume includes “Freddy vs. Jason” and 2009’s “Friday the 13th,” neither of which got the best reviews. They also did the 2017 adaptation of “Baywatch” starring Dwayne Johnson, which is one of the movies ever. I am proud to say though, “Send Help” is probably going to put both of these gentlemen on the map for me. Though it is worth noting, their screenplay was likely enhanced by the directing talents of Sam Raimi, who has an eye for great shots, brilliant timing, and chilling scares. That said, there is that saying that one is only as good as their last project. Swift and Shannon are now on my radar because this is a twisty movie that had me hooked from the very beginning. Although the beginning is not all to rave about in this film. This film’s ending is not only mind-blowing, but it is something I will be thinking about for a very long time. I could not think of a cooler ending to a movie like this if I tried.

Once again, Rachel McAdams plays Linda Liddle, a dorky cat lady who spends her time off work watching “Survivor.” In fact, she was even passionate enough to audition for the show. Seeing her journey play out, most particularly when the movie passes its inciting incident is riveting as can be. If you are looking for incredible character development, then put this movie on the top of your must-see list. McAdams proves she has talent as this film’s lead.

“Send Help” does a great job at showcasing Dylan O’Brien’s chops. While he may not be the first actor that I would call a thespian, the film proves he has skills. Also, despite his tendency to come off as a jerk, O’Brien, and perhaps by extension, filmmaker Sam Raimi, does a spectacular job at making Bradley look like a jerk, but also likable enough from the audience’s point of view.

On the technical side, “Send Help” sings. Sam Raimi has had an extended career and it is not surprising to see him surround himself with a crew he’s trusted over the years. You have composer Danny Elfman who assembles a marvelous score. There is Bill Pope, who continues to prove he is one of the best cinematographers working today. Editor Bob Murawski puts together some clean, perfectly timed scenes, and his choices enhance the movie’s occasional attempts at humor that rely on visuals or sound. There is one scene involving a boar’s head that had me dying. No spoilers, and you might know this moment when you see it, this film contains one of my favorite cuts in recent memory, and it involves a golf ball. That is all I will say.

In the end, “Send Help” is another excellent film given by the directing god known as Sam Raimi. I can see this movie having quite a bit of replay value down the line. I read that Sam Raimi fought Sony, who did not end up distributing the final project, to keep this film from going straight to streaming. I am so glad he did that, because this is a film I think is best experienced with a crowd. It is scary, it is fun, it is why people go to the movies. The film contains a plethora of exciting scenes helmed by a master of his craft. It showcases the talents of two well cast leads doing their best to deliver a satisfying experience. This film is “Cast Away” with just the smallest pinch of “Office Space.” The story sucked me as it started, and refused to let me leave as it ended. Check this movie out if you can. I am going to give “Send Help” an 8/10.

“Send Help” is now playing in theaters. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! My next review is going to be for “The Bride!”. Stay tuned! Also, stay tuned for my thoughts on “Hoppers,” “Project Hail Mary,” and “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come.”

I am also pleased to announce some information about the ongoing film review series Movie Requests, which features special guests selecting films for me to review. The second episode, which will feature “Clerks” actor Jason Mewes, will be released Saturday, March 28th! If you want to see the episode as soon as it drops, subscribe to my YouTube channel! Also, if you have not done so already, be sure to check out the first episode of Movie Requests, featuring actress Bryce Dallas Howard.

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