I have to say that they really cook with this one hands down, I was just saying the other day how most of the time we get a bunch of average movie until there are two or at most three over the month that are really worth watching and Send Help 2026 is one of them. I was not expecting this after all the drama of typical January releases being total trash because usually this month is where movies go to die but this movie actually hits hard because it knows exactly what it is and does not try to be some high brow art piece that thinks it is better than the audience by saying this Im refering to the type of horror movie that just try to be too over complicated, trying to hide the motives until the very end to create some sort of aja moment, this time Sami just throw it in your face right from the start. It is such a relief to see a director who has been around who actually give us something that feels like a banger without all the fake deep nonsense, especially since we have been waiting for him to do something original again instead of just playing in the superhero sandbox for years and the setup is so basic that it works because you do not have to think too much while you are just enjoying the drama and the euphoria unroll. On Send Help 2026, Rachel McAdams is the legit star of the show here, she plays this overworked nerd who is basically a doormat for her sexist prick of a boss and Dylan O'Brien is that boss who you just want to punch in the face from the moment he opens his mouth. They end up stranded on an island after a plane crash and that is exactly what we need right now to see the power shifting in a way that is satisfying for anyone who has ever had a job they hated, because the movie builds the story of her transformation from a pathetic employee to a badass survivor who knows how to spear fish and spear his ego at the same time while he just sits there looking like a lost puppy.
- IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8036976/
- Platform: PRIME VIDEO
The movie starts with a completely new scene where the contrast between these two is set up so well, you see her doing all the actual labor while he takes the credit and treats her like she is invisible, so when that plane goes down and they are stuck in the middle of nowhere, the comedy comes from him realizing he is totally useless without a cell phone or a secretary to do his bidding. Dylan O'Brien is incredible too because he starts as a hatable piece of shit but his chemistry with Rachel is solid and he is funny with that weird laugh he does that makes him sound like he is losing his mind, it is probably the funniest movie Raimi has ever made because it leans into that mean spirited humor he is known for. I am telling you that seeing him try to maintain his corporate authority while he is starving and covered in sand is pure gold, and Rachel McAdams just eats up every scene she is in because she makes the transition to a island warrior feel earned, it is not like she just wakes up and knows how to hunt, you see the struggle and the frustration as she realizes she is the only thing keeping them both alive. The cinematography has that vintage feel that I personally love, making the island look beautiful but also like a place that wants to kill you and the way Raimi uses the camera to show the isolation really makes you feel the weight of their situation even when they are bickering like an old married couple. Everything about it felt like a dark comedy with some thriller parts tucked in and it is a simple story that actually hooks you because it hits on that feeling of working for people who do not value you at all, making it the perfect revenge fantasy for the modern office worker.
I was surprised that the pacing is fast, Director Rami really knows how to use sound and faces to make you squirm without needing to show a bunch of blood, although I do wish he had used some more of that classic gore he is famous for from his early days, the island setup is usually perfect to unleash the best and let the blood run down the sands without control, but I guess we neede more participants to let this happen, cant kill the only two characters holding the show together. It felt a bit draggy at times but I think thats ok since it just room to breath, but the cast still made it watchable when the middle section slows down a bit, because their constant argument and agony keeps the energy up even when they are just sitting around a fire talking about their shitty lives back home and you start to see that maybe they both needed this crash to actually become human beings again, although who knows because we humans tend to forget really fast. The movie does not use the island as a gimmick, it uses it as a mirror to show who these people really are when all the fancy clothes and titles are stripped away and the result is a story that is way more interesting than your average survival movie. There were moments where I thought they were going to go the typical romance route but the movie stays smart and keeps the focus on the power struggle between a boss and a worker, which is way more relatable for most of us anyway. The production quality is for sure there, the island feels like a character itself and the sound design of the jungle at night creates a sense of danger that keeps you on edge even when the characters are just trying to find a coconut to eat.
At the end everything tries to come together but the whole story is simple and you can see where things were heading from miles away, it is a bit predictable and I wish he did not hold back on the violence as much because we know he can do better than this, but it is still a total banger that I would give a solid 8 out of 10 for pure entertainment so dont overthink the movie btw. I dont know if its just me getting older but spending two hours watching a movie makes you think if it was well spend time and I think this time it was, because it delivers almost exactly like what I saw on the trailer and does not try to be anything it is not, it is just a fun ride with two great actors who are clearly having a blast with the material. The way the ending plays out is a bit of a letdown because everything about it felt rushed and I wanted to see a bit more of the aftermath of their time on the island, but it still works as a punchline to the joke that has been building since the scenes. You can tell Raimi is just having fun here, it is like he is back to his roots making something small and punchy that does not have to worry about a shared universe or a massive budget, and that freedom shows in the way he handles the tonal shifts between the jokes and the scares. It is a great date movie where you can just turn off your brain and watch a prick get what he deserve and a bit more, and for me that is a legit win for the audience because it happens very often in real life when you find someone like that.
So far I would not be scare to call this one of the best horror/drama movies of the year, might not be on the top 5 when the year is over but for sure a top 10. The success of this movie is the perfect example and how doing something much more simple out of the trend can be so satisfying and succesful that makes me hope that other directors will take the hint and start making smaller movies that actually focus on people instead of just CGI monsters blowing up cities, because at the end of the day we just want to be entertained by a good story with characters we actually care about. Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien are a power couple of acting here and even though the movie has its ups and downs and sometimes it doesnt really makes that much sense, the dark comedy makes it fun that goes through the roof and I would watch a sequel without a doubt if they decided to do one. It is a solid addition for Raimi to have on his belt and while it might not be a masterpiece like some of his other work, it is a legit good time that reminds you why we go to the movies in the first place, so go check it out if you need a break from reality. I am giving this a solid recommendation for anyone who wants a movie that is dope and does not waste your time with a bunch of bs and trying to tame down things, just make sure you go in with the right expectations and you will have a blast watching the chaos unfold. It is a movie that stays with you because it is so relatable and probably to your own boss jajajaa.
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