Sam Raimi, the iconic director known for helming the original Spider-Man trilogy and The Evil Dead franchise is officially back in the director’s chair, and he’s bringing us a survival horror comedy that sounds like Cast Away meets The Proposal with a splash of Evil Dead chaos.
The first look at the film Send Help was recently unveiled by Entertainment Weekly following the release of the trailer. Raimi’s upcoming psychological thriller and dark comedy stars Dylan O’Brien and Rachel McAdams as bitter co-workers forced into an unwanted partnership after a plane crash leaves them stranded on a deserted island.
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- Courtesy of EW
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- Courtesy of EW
The newly released trailer gives us a chaotic taste of what’s to come. What begins as a standard survival setup quickly spirals into psychological warfare as Linda and Bradley battle not just the elements, but each other. The footage teases a constantly shifting power dynamic, moments of uneasy cooperation followed by moments of betrayals. The conditions are brutal, bloody, and often of their own making, hinting that the biggest dangers aren’t animals or starvation, they’re petty office grudges gone feral.
We’re clearly in for twists, breakdowns, and maybe even a little madness. One thing’s for sure: this isn’t your typical survival thriller where everyone holds hands and finds inner peace by the third act. As Linda bluntly puts it: “We’re not in the office anymore Bradley.”
The film, written by Friday the 13th duo Damian Shannon and Mark Swift, follows Linda Liddle (McAdams), an overlooked employee whose nightmare boss, Bradley Preston (O’Brien), also happens to be the only other survivor. The twist? Bradley is injured in the crash and suddenly very dependent on the woman he never respected.
“Watching a once-powerful boss find himself dependent on someone he underestimated is satisfying. Our story is universal! We need to encourage our society to treat people with respect and kindness, regardless of status.” Said Sam Raimi to EW
Raimi also teased that Linda’s quirky “survivalist hobbies” finally get their time to shine once she hits the sand, suggesting this might be less lost at sea and more revenge in paradise.
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- Courtesy of EW
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- Courtesy of EW
Send Help marks Raimi’s first directing gig since 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. After a mixed reception to that entry in the MCU, many are eyeing this as a potential comeback to the genre that made him a legend. With producing partner Zainab Azizi and 20th Century Studios on board, Raimi is clearly aiming to blend his classic horror sensibilities with sharp comedy and character-driven tension.
While McAdams is beloved for rom-com classics (The Notebook, About Time) and critically acclaimed dramas (Spotlight), she’s no stranger to physical comedy (Game Night), making her a perfect fit for a survival scenario with an edge. She recently starred in Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret and she has also joined Netflix’s upcoming AI thriller.
O’Brien, meanwhile, continues his post–YA franchise glow-up. Best known for Teen Wolf and The Maze Runner, he’s been earning praise for bolder, weirder, and more complex roles, including this year’s viral indie hit Twinless, along with the film Ponyboi and Saturday Night. He’ll also appear in the all-star political thriller Anniversary, releasing October 29.
With Raimi’s unmistakable style, blending slapstick chaos with spine-chilling suspense, and the proven range of both McAdams and O’Brien, Send Help is shaping up to be something truly special. If their past roles are anything to go by, this survival thriller won’t just be intense, it’ll be wildly unpredictable, heavily emotional and grounded with terrific performances.
The film also features Chris Pang (Crazy Rich Asians) and Dennis Haysbert in supporting roles.
Watch the trailer here:
Send Help hits theaters on January 30, 2026, and if the premise is anything to go by, audiences should expect equal parts panic, pettiness, major amounts of drama and not to mention, two insanely good looking actors stuck on a desserted island together.
The island may be deserted, but the drama definitely won’t be.
Fangirl and Writer with a huge passion for entertainment.
