Sam Raimi’s Send Help, released in theaters on January 30, 2026, by 20th Century Studios, marks a gleeful return to form for the genre-bending director known for The Evil Dead, Drag Me to Hell, and the original Spider-Man trilogy. This R-rated horror-thriller-comedy hybrid delivers a vicious, unpredictable ride that blends survival suspense, workplace revenge, and Raimi’s signature gonzo flair—complete with extreme close-ups, cartoonish gore, and dark humor. Critics have hailed it as one of the most purely enjoyable films in Raimi’s recent catalog, praising its bold energy and standout performances, particularly Rachel McAdams in what many call her sharpest comedic role since her iconic turn in Mean Girls.

The story follows Linda Liddle (McAdams), a dedicated, overlooked employee in the Planning & Strategy department at Preston Strategic Solutions. After years of loyalty, she’s denied a promised promotion by the company’s new CEO, Bradley Preston (Dylan O’Brien), a slick, entitled nepo baby who favors his cronies. When Bradley reluctantly invites Linda on a business trip to Thailand for a major merger, their private plane crashes, leaving them as the sole survivors on a deserted island. Stranded with limited resources, injuries, and simmering resentment, the power dynamic flips dramatically. What begins as a fight for survival evolves into a twisted psychological battle, where past grievances fuel increasingly unhinged confrontations.

Raimi thrives in this confined setup, infusing the island with his trademark visual inventiveness: sweeping POV shots through dense foliage, grotesque practical effects for wounds and wildlife threats, and bursts of splattery violence that punctuate the escalating tension. The film cleverly subverts survival tropes—think The Shallows meets The Menu—by grounding the horror in corporate cruelty and class resentment. Bradley’s arrogance clashes with Linda’s quiet competence, leading to moments of wicked comedy amid the peril. The script by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift keeps the twists coming, though some reviewers note the later plot turns feel derivative and the gore occasionally veers into silliness.

McAdams is the film’s beating heart, delivering a performance that’s equal parts restrained vulnerability and gleeful menace. As Linda, she transforms from a put-upon underdog into a force of calculated retribution, channeling the sharp wit and dark edge she brought to Regina George in Mean Girls. Her physical commitment—enduring humiliation, restraint, and absurd scenarios—elevates the material, making every shift in power feel earned and electrifying. O’Brien matches her beat-for-beat as the insufferable Bradley, evolving from smug antagonist to a surprisingly nuanced villain whose desperation reveals layers of insecurity. Their chemistry crackles, turning the two-hander into a delicious battle of wills that keeps audiences guessing.

Supporting roles add flavor: Edyll Ismail, Dennis Haysbert, Xavier Samuel, Chris Pang, Thaneth Warakulnukroh, and Emma Raimi round out the cast with brief but memorable appearances, though the focus remains squarely on the leads. Bill Pope’s cinematography captures the island’s beauty and brutality, while the score amplifies the escalating dread and absurdity.

Early reviews praise Send Help as a “gonzo return to form” for Raimi, with its blood-spattered fun, unpredictable tone, and mid-budget originality standing out in a franchise-heavy landscape. On Rotten Tomatoes, it garners strong critic and audience scores, with outlets like IndieWire, Variety, and IGN calling it a hilarious, vicious thriller that showcases Raimi’s mastery of blending horror, comedy, and character drama.

At 1 hour and 53 minutes, Send Help is a wild, satisfying escape—proof that Raimi still knows how to manage the hell out of a story. Whether you’re in for the survival thrills, workplace satire, or McAdams’ triumphant comedy comeback, this is one plane crash worth boarding.