Sam Raimi's latest film, 'Send Help,' starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien, opens in theaters this weekend as a twist-filled survival thriller. The story follows two plane crash survivors stranded on a deserted island, where office rivalries turn deadly. Critics highlight its shocking moments and shifting power dynamics.
Directed by Sam Raimi and written by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift, 'Send Help' arrives in theaters via 20th Century Studios on Friday, January 31, 2026. Rachel McAdams plays Linda Liddle, a skilled accountant overlooked for a promotion by her new CEO, Bradley Preston (Dylan O'Brien), the nepo baby son of her late boss. Preston invites her on an international business trip to Bangkok, but their private plane crashes, leaving them as the sole survivors on a remote island.
Linda, a devoted fan of the TV show 'Survivor' and avid reader of adventure books, excels at survival tasks like building shelters, starting fires, and crafting items such as hats and backpacks. Despite her efforts to help the injured and inexperienced Preston, he remains rude and demanding, mirroring his office behavior. Tensions escalate when Linda briefly abandons him, prompting an apology and a temporary truce.
As Linda explores, she spots rescue boats nearby but conceals this, relishing her leadership role. Preston grows suspicious and attempts to incapacitate her with poisonous berries during dinner, then flees on a makeshift raft that nearly drowns him—requiring Linda's rescue. In retaliation, she paralyzes him with a poisonous fish while keeping his mind alert, then feigns castration (actually killing a rat) to assert dominance.
Weeks later, Preston's fiancée Zuri (Edyll Ismail) arrives with a guide, but Linda causes their fatal fall. Preston mistakes Zuri's hand in the surf for evidence of murder, leading to a brawl. He discovers a hidden billionaire's mansion—source of Linda's supplies—and the boats' origin. In the climax, Linda shoots at him with an empty shotgun before beating him to death with a golf club.
One year on, Linda thrives, promoting her memoir (soon to be a film) and self-help book at a celebrity golf event, driving off in luxury. The film blends horror-thriller elements with social commentary on power shifts, earning buzz for its plot surprises.