Movie Review - Send Help
This movie has a quality that, at least to me, seems to be rare in movies today: a script that demands tremendous acting chops. This is often the case when you have a movie that runs for about 110 minutes, of which about 90 of those are just two actors reacting to each other. What's surprising is that this movie was released in late January. Otherwise known as the dumping ground for movies that no one has faith will deliver huge crowds. But I think this was smart for two reasons. First, it won't have any competition for the next few weeks. This is the movie that everyone will be talking about. Second, when Oscars roll around, if anyone cares, they're going to give out the best actress award, and everyone will know that it would have gone to Rachel McAdams had this movie released a few weeks earlier.
And Rachel McAdams isn't the only one who deserves props for their work. Dylan O'Brien, as Rachel's opposite, didn't have an easy go of it. His role required a huge range of emotions. He's overshadowed by Rachel, but not by much.
Writers
Here's what I don't get. The two scriptwriters are Damian Shannon and Mark Swift. These two have worked on three movies together prior to Send Help. Those movies are: Baywatch (18%), Friday the 13th (26%), and Freddy vs. Jason (42%). Do you realize that the combined Rotten Tomatoes scores for their previous three movies total only 86%, which is still lower than Send Help's 92%? How does that happen? There has to be a story there somewhere. These guys have produced three fantastically unremarkable scripts, and then this. I want to know more.
Plot
While watching this movie, it felt like watching a gymnastics floor routine that becomes increasingly impressive with each movement, but all the while you're thinking to yourself: This is all for naught if they don't stick the landing. And then, with precision and flourish, it all came together in a perfectly satisfying conclusion.
Grade: A
| Rated: | R Strong/Bloody Violence, Language |
| Genres: | Comedy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller |
| USA release date: | Jan 22, 2026 |
| Movie length: | 113 minutes |
| Starring: | Rachel McAdams, Dylan O'Brien, Edyll Ismail, Dennis Haysbert, Xavier Samuel, Chris Pang, Thaneth Warakulnukroh, Emma Raimi, Kristy Best, Francesca Waters, Olivia Sawyer, Brad Flett, Nana Miya, Anuwat Pornladawong, Benjawan Teawsomboonkit, Aaron Shore |
| Director: | Sam Raimi |
| Writer(s): | Damian Shannon, Mark Swift |
| Language: | English |
| Country: | United States |
Plot
Two colleagues become stranded on a deserted island, the only survivors of a plane crash. On the island, they must overcome past grievances and work together to survive, but ultimately, it's a battle of wills and wits to make it out alive.
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