SEND HELP
Rated R
If you grew up a horror fan in the 80s, you’re already well aware that it was a magical time for the genre and few horror films of that decade stuck with me as much as EVIL DEAD II: DEAD BY DAWN, a movie I was fortunate enough to see a test screening of before it opened in the spring of 1987. Sure, the first film (released in 1981) was a memorable work that Stephen King referred to as “The most ferociously original horror film of the year.,” but the Three Stooges-inspired lunacy at the center of the sequel made for a special brand of entertainment that, to this very day, remains my favorite of Sam Raimi’s noteworthy titles (although “A SIMPLE PLAN comes in a close second.) Where does the recently released SEND HELP rank on Mr. Raimi’s resume? Well, it’s certainly his best film since 2009’s DRAG ME TO HELL.
In SEND HELP, awkward office worker (and faithful “Survivor” fan) Linda Liddle (played by Rachel McAdams) is passed over for a promotion when the new D-bag head of the company, Bradley Preston (played by Dylan O’Brien), decides he has different plans for the family-owned business. Despite passing her over, Bradley does offer Linda an opportunity to prove herself worthy by inviting her to be part of an overseas business trip. Said business trip is violently cut short, however, when the plane the team is on goes down in a brutal storm, stranding Bradley and Linda on an island in the middle of nowhere. Shortly thereafter, a power dynamic shift takes place between these two individuals resulting in a slice of survival-laced horror that is punctuated by Raimi’s unique brand of energy, over the top bravado, and hilarious (and altogether dark) sense of humor.
As suggested in the trailer, SEND HELP sort of plays like a fusion of IN THE COMPANY OF MEN, MISERY, CAST AWAY, and LORD OF THE FLIES but there are two things that really make this movie instantly watchable; It’s aforementioned sense of humor (seriously, this movie is a lot funnier than I thought it would be), and its outstanding (and undeniably charismatic) leads.
Dylan O’Brien has been a star on the rise for what feels like a very long time dating back to his lead role in THE MAZE RUNNER films. Movies like the underappreciated gem, LOVE AND MONSTERS, would follow but it would be his work in last year’s underseen indie, TWINLESS, that would truly showcase his range. In SEND HELP, O’Brien (who appears to be channeling Ray Liotta and Robert DeNiro a bit here) is effective yet again taking the narcissistic (and manipulative) office boss behavior and multiplying the asshole component by ten. He’s a ton of arrogant fun in this movie and that cackle of his is absolutely hilarious.
As great as O’Brien is here, the big surprise is Rachel McAdams. Not that McAdams hasn’t been great in a multitude of diverse projects through the years (MEAN GIRLS, THE NOTEBOOK, and SPOTLIGHT among them) but here, we get to see the biggest of personalities from her and I’m there for it. Interestingly enough, for years, I’ve joked with my lovely wife that McAdams is on “my island” (that probably makes me sound like a misogynist of Bradley Preston proportions, by assure you I am not) and ironically enough, in SEND HELP, she’s literally on an island.
Of course, it’s Mr. Raimi conducting the loopy action in this bit of survival madness and after more than four decades in the business, it’s clear that he’s still got it, even if the screenplay by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift often tries to hold him back with the familiar “stuck on an island” framework. There are certain moments here that are a little tough to buy into, too, and this is to say nothing of the repetition when it comes to certain character beats. Additionally, there’s a bit in the final act that’s meant to pull the rug out from underneath the viewer but it’s not as successful as it thinks it is, mostly because it tips its hand not once, but twice earlier on in the film.
Add to that an unsatisfying ending that opts to take a side, and you have a movie that, for all its memorable moments (the boar, the procedure, the fight, etc.), doesn’t quite stick the landing. For my money, this film would have been more effective had the writers taken more of a WAR OF THE ROSES approach with the ending as that would have been more appropriate given where these two characters end up as SEND HELP makes its way to its blood-soaked battle-of-the-sexes finale.
Again, though, O’Brien and McAdams are really damn good here. Not just as individuals but as a duo. They bring real energy and humor to the proceedings as does an always game Raimi. SEND HELP may not be at the same level as his best work but it’s always a joy to see him back in the director’s chair.
