Running Time: 115 Minutes
Certification: 15
Starring: Rachel McAdams, Dylan O'Brien, Edyll Ismail, Xavier Samuel, Chris Pang, Dennis Haysbert, Thaneth Warakulnukroh
It's a joy to have Sam Raimi back. Amongst his interesting filmography, the most popular works are his iconic trilogies of Spider-Man and The Evil Dead. Following nearly a decade without a new Raimi feature, the director made his grand return with 2022's Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, another superhero film about a Steve Ditko character. Four years later, Raimi returns to his other love for Send Help, a horror film that revels in splatter.
With the impending arrival of a new CEO, Linda Liddle (Rachel McAdams) is a meek member of Strategy and Planning awaiting a long-deserved promotion promised by her former boss. However, new boss Bradley Preston (Dylan O'Brien) refuses to honour his late father's wishes and instead gives the promotion to a college buddy of his. As the workplace bullying and disrespect leaves Linda devastated, a business trip to Bangkok results in the pair being the only survivors of a plane crash. Awakening on a deserted island, the tables turn between CEO and employee as the scenario allows Linda to utilise her extensive survival skills.
If you had a venn-diagram of the released screenplays by Mark Swift and Damian Shannon, the middle point would be this film. The left-hand side would have the pair's aquatic works of Shark Tale and 2017's Baywatch, while the right-hand side would be the last two entries into the Friday the 13th franchise. Connecting the two sides would be Send Help, bringing matters together for an entertaining package.
Central to the film are the dual leads who inhabit their roles so well, game for whatever unfolds in blood-spurting, vomit-projecting fashion. Rachel McAdams is on top form as Linda, generating sympathy as she just wants to feel included, yet truly coming alive when the situation works to her advantage. The switch in confidence is fantastically delivered, particularly as her measures to showcase the new hierarchy take darker turns. Acting opposite her, Dylan O'Brien terrifically breathes life into the nepo-baby who struggles to adapt to the changed situation. As moments arrive to show that a real person lays beneath the entitlement and disrespectful tone, it gives one pause to see if this growth will continue or whether he will revert to his old habits.
For anybody who comes to this Sam Raimi film with a bloodthirstiness, it should be noted that there is a wait for the crimson rivers to run. While there is a bit of lead-up, this is not a problem when the familiar ideas are brought alive with a distinctive flair during what could be utterly mundane scenes. When it comes time for the blood and gore, it does not disappoint. At times, it plays like a gruesome cartoon complete with elicited noises and facial reactions from the excellent pair. It all makes for one heck of a fun time, especially involving a well-timed jump scare.
If there was one major issue, it is down to the visual effects. The rendering needed more work, as it can be distracting to see how incomplete some of the effects look. Perhaps this is down to the small budget, but when Raimi has a history of practical effects showcases which hold up to this day, this is disappointing to see. Yet, that does not hurt Send Help, a bloodsoaked survival tale which plays like a B-movie take on Triangle of Sadness. For a bloody good time at the movies, look no further.
Send Help is released in UK Cinemas from 5th February.
Comments