7.2/10
Send Help is a 2026 American dark comedy horror film directed by Sam Raimi and written by Mark Swift and Damian Shannon. The film stars Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien as two co-workers who survive a plane crash only to find themselves stranded on a deserted island — where survival becomes as psychological as it is physical.
Premiering at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on January 21, 2026, and released nationwide on January 30 by 20th Century Studios, the film quickly stood out for its twisted tone and sharp performances. With a production budget of $40 million, it has grossed $54 million worldwide and earned strong critical praise.
At first glance, Send Help may look like a standard survival thriller. It is anything but.
Send Help (2026) – Official Trailer
What Is Send Help About?
The story follows Linda Liddle, a corporate strategist who believes she is about to receive a long-overdue promotion. Instead, she is sidelined by her new CEO, Bradley Preston, who favors a more charismatic — and less deserving — colleague. When Linda confronts Bradley, he surprisingly invites her on a high-stakes business trip overseas.
A violent storm, a plane malfunction, and a chaotic struggle onboard lead to a crash in the sea. Linda and Bradley awaken on a remote island as the only apparent survivors.
From there, the film shifts into survival mode — but not in the way you might expect. Linda proves surprisingly skilled at building shelter, finding food, and adapting to the island. Bradley, injured and entitled, struggles to accept that the power dynamic between them has completely reversed.
What begins as reluctant cooperation slowly turns into a dark psychological chess match. The isolation amplifies resentment, insecurity, ambition, and buried trauma. The island becomes less about escape and more about transformation.
Raimi blends survival tension with uncomfortable humor and escalating moral ambiguity, creating a story that constantly shifts tone without losing control.
Cast and Performances
Rachel McAdams delivers one of the boldest performances of her career as Linda Liddle. She transforms from overlooked corporate employee into something far more complex and unpredictable. The performance moves seamlessly between vulnerability, determination, dark humor, and something more unsettling beneath the surface.
Dylan O’Brien plays Bradley Preston with layered arrogance and desperation. Rather than portraying him as a one-note antagonist, the film allows his character to evolve under pressure. His performance balances entitlement with moments of unexpected humanity.
Supporting performances include Edyll Ismail as Zuri, Bradley’s fiancée, and Dennis Haysbert as a senior executive. A subtle photographic cameo from Bruce Campbell adds a small nod to Raimi fans.
The chemistry between McAdams and O’Brien drives the film. Nearly the entire second act depends on their dynamic, and both actors commit fully to the escalating tension.
Is Send Help Worth Watching?
Send Help received strong critical acclaim, earning a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 76. Critics praised Raimi’s confident direction and the film’s unpredictable structure.
What makes the film stand out is its tonal balance. It shifts between survival drama, dark comedy, and psychological horror without feeling chaotic. The humor is sharp but uncomfortable. The violence is stylized but meaningful. The emotional stakes grow steadily rather than relying on cheap shocks.
This is not a traditional survival film. It is a character study disguised as a stranded-on-an-island thriller.
If you appreciate morally complex storytelling and performances that evolve dramatically over time, Send Help is one of 2026’s more surprising standouts.
Box Office and Reception
Send Help debuted to $19.1 million in its opening weekend, topping the box office. As of early February 2026, it has earned $54 million worldwide against its $40 million budget.
Critics described it as wickedly clever, twisted, and unexpectedly sharp. Audience reception was similarly positive, with a CinemaScore of B+.
The film’s success further reinforces Raimi’s reputation for blending horror with dark humor in ways that feel distinct from mainstream studio releases.
Who Composed the Music?
The score was composed by Danny Elfman, marking another collaboration between Elfman and Raimi. The soundtrack enhances the film’s shifting tone, moving from playful irony to mounting dread.
FAQ
Is Send Help a horror movie?
It blends horror elements with dark comedy and psychological thriller aspects. It is not purely a traditional horror film.
Is Send Help based on a true story?
No, the story is fictional.
Who directed Send Help?
Sam Raimi directed the film.
Is Send Help more comedy or horror?
It leans heavily into dark comedy while maintaining suspenseful survival elements.
Conclusion
Send Help is not just about surviving a plane crash. It is about control, ambition, resentment, and what isolation reveals about people.
Sam Raimi delivers a darkly entertaining film that feels both classic in concept and bold in execution. Rachel McAdams anchors the story with a performance that is unpredictable and compelling, while Dylan O’Brien matches her energy in a battle of wills that escalates steadily.
What begins as a survival story becomes something far stranger — and far more fascinating.
If 2026 needed an early surprise hit, Send Help answered the call.
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