by Finian Kocsis ‘28

Sam Raimi’s Send Help is an exciting new film for horror fans everywhere. It mixes survival, thriller, comedy, and horror all in one movie that keeps the audience guessing what will happen next. Horror is a genre that has been around for decades, and it’s hard to come up with a unique idea that hasn’t been done before, much less execute it properly and keep it from being predictable and boring. While it may not be entirely original, Send Help is carried out excellently and is full of surprises that keep the audience on the edge of their seats.

At first, the film follows a similar premise to other movies of being stranded on an island with no way off. It is very reminiscent of Cast Away and Gilligan’s Island. But as the film progresses, it diverges from the typical formula. Several twists and turns make the film stand out from other survival and thriller films that follow a similar premise.

Another highlight of the film is the two main characters, Linda Liddle (Rachel McAdams) and Bradley Preston (Dylan O’Brien), portrayed by exceptional performances. McAdams, especially, is a standout. Even though this was her first horror film, she was the star of the film and give one of the strongest performances in horror in 2026. O’Brien is also excellent in the movie; he had a wide emotional range that made me feel bad for him even though he was portrayed as the antagonist. Although there was worry that both of these actors are so big and both very accomplished that it would be hard to see them as their individual characters, both McAdams and O’Brien do very well to absorb themselves into their characters. They make their stories more believable, something other actors might not have been able to do as well.

The addition of secondary characters is a pleasant surprise. Even though the dynamics between McAdams and O’Brien were very enjoyable, it’s nice to have other characters to push the story further than it might have if it were only the two main characters. Edyll Ismail, in her role as Zuri, Bradley’s fiancée, is both shocking and a pleasant surprise. Her role, along with Chris Pang, who plays Chase, one of Bradley’s friends, is another highlight for the film and elevates the story, helping add depth to the main characters and making the audience both hate and love them even more.

Send Help delivers the audience a unique twist on the survival genre with its mix of both horror and satirical elements. The casting choices are what push the film to its maximum potential, and without McAdams and O’Brien, the movie might not have been what it could have been. While it may not reinvent the survival or horror genres, it does expand what movies like this may be in the future. It’s definitely a must-watch for anyone looking for a fun thriller with some horror elements mixed in.

Grade: A