Rachel McAdams Unleashes Office Fury in Sam Raimi's Genre-Bending Horror Comedy
In the unhinged horror comedy Send Help, Rachel McAdams delivers a cathartic performance as an undervalued employee who finally gets her revenge on a hellish boss. Directed by the legendary Sam Raimi, known for Spider-Man and Drag Me to Hell, this film masterfully blends workplace satire with gruesome horror, creating a uniquely entertaining experience that resonates with anyone who has ever felt frustrated by office politics.
A Relatable Protagonist in a Cut-Throat World
McAdams portrays Linda Liddle, a frazzled and perpetually overlooked over-achiever in a competitive consultancy firm. Her character is painfully realistic:
- She is consistently excluded from social events by her colleagues
- Her hard work is regularly credited to others, particularly the smarmy Donovan played by Xavier Samuel
- She presents as awkward and unglamorous, with red-nosed vulnerability and haphazard dressing
When the company's new CEO Bradley arrives, played with perfect unpleasantness by Dylan O'Brien as a classic nepotism baby, Linda's enthusiastic introduction goes disastrously wrong. The resulting cringe-worthy encounter reaches such uncomfortable levels that it could genuinely haunt viewers' nightmares throughout 2026.
From Office Drudgery to Island Survival
The plot takes a dramatic turn when Linda is passed over for a promised promotion. Determined to prove her worth, she secures a spot on the company jet to Bangkok for an important merger. This decision sets in motion the film's spectacular second act, which begins with a hilariously violent plane crash that leaves Linda and an injured Bradley stranded on a deserted island.
On the island, the dynamics completely shift:
- Linda's survival skills come to the forefront as she builds shelter and provides for them both
- She discovers unexpected happiness and fulfillment in this primitive environment
- Bradley, once conscious, reveals his true colors through constant complaining and entitlement
A particularly memorable sequence involves an insanely gory boar hunt that allows Linda to channel her pent-up workplace frustrations into survival violence, creating one of the film's most cathartic moments.
Masterful Performances and Sharp Writing
Dylan O'Brien proves himself a natural at physical comedy, delivering a performance reminiscent of a younger, more grounded Jim Carrey. His portrayal of Bradley's whining entitlement provides perfect contrast to McAdams' increasingly empowered Linda. The chemistry between the two actors sustains what becomes essentially a two-character drama set against increasingly bizarre circumstances.
Mark Swift and Damian Shannon's slick script deserves particular praise for:
- Maintaining tension through ever-changing power dynamics
- Cleverly translating office politics to a survival scenario
- Balancing genuine horror with laugh-out-loud comedy
A Sinister Turn That Pushes Boundaries
Without revealing specific spoilers, the film takes a decidedly sinister turn in its final act. The horror elements escalate to include genuinely shocking moments that will make viewers:
- Cross their legs in sympathetic horror
- Cover their eyes during particularly gruesome sequences
- Appreciate how Raimi pushes boundaries while maintaining narrative coherence
Remarkably, even the most extreme moments feel earned within the context of the story, never descending into gratuitousness for its own sake.
A Timely Satire of Modern Work Culture
Send Help succeeds as both entertainment and social commentary. The film makes painfully salient points about:
- The toxicity of workplace hierarchies
- The frustration of unrecognized talent
- The particular injustice of nepotism in corporate environments
McAdams and O'Brien clearly relish the opportunity to explore these themes through their characters' extreme journey, delivering performances that are both hilarious and horrifying in equal measure.
Final Verdict
Sam Raimi has created a genre mash-up that works far better than anyone might expect. Send Help manages to be:
- A satisfying revenge fantasy for anyone who has suffered office indignities
- A genuinely frightening horror film with inventive set pieces
- A sharp workplace satire that understands modern corporate culture
- An excellent showcase for its two lead performers
The film represents exactly the kind of creative risk-taking that cinema needs more of, blending genres with confidence and delivering every spurt of blood with purposeful glee. For those seeking cathartic release from workplace frustrations or simply an entertaining night at the movies, Send Help delivers on all fronts.
