Sam Raimi's Horror Comeback Gets Rave Reviews After 15 Years
The legendary filmmaker behind Evil Dead returns to horror with a twisted survival thriller starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien. Early screenings reveal a darkly comic masterpiece that's already drawing comparisons to his cult classic work.
Horror legend Sam Raimi appears to have struck gold again. His latest survival thriller 'Send Help' is earning massive praise from critics following early press screenings, with many calling it his best work in years.
The film stars Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien in what's being described as a wickedly funny power struggle. Social media buzz suggests Raimi has crafted something special after his 15-year absence from directing horror.
Critics Praise Twisted Comedy Elements
Film Peak's Griffin Schiller couldn't contain his excitement. 'Send Help is a MASSIVE win for the Drag Me to Hell fans!... At times feels like Raimi's sadistic take on Phantom Thread – a karmic undressing of monstrous man-babies in an inverted power dynamic,' he wrote.
Schiller went on to highlight the lead performances. 'Provides the perfect stage for McAdams & O'Brien to showcase their impressive range and versatility as Raimi tests the limits of our sympathies mining the tension between our perception of Linda and Bradley and their true nature.'
McAdams Delivers Career-Best Performance
Forbes critic Jeff Conway was equally impressed. 'Rachel McAdams gives a career-best performance! Dylan O'Brien is so good in this easy crowd-pleaser from Sam Raimi's witty cinematic vision.'
Slash Film's Bill Bria focused on the film's visceral impact. 'Send Help is a deliciously sadistic & demented thriller that only Sam Raimi can deliver…This may very well be the grossest, most disgusting 3D movie yet made.'
A Return to Form for the Horror Master
ScreenRant's Todd Gilchrist praised the complete package. 'Send Help is a tremendous reminder of how gifted Sam Raimi is at entertaining audiences while tormenting actors. Aided by a fantastic script by Shannon and Swift, Raimi delivers a movie that's smart, suspenseful, and incredibly funny.'
The plot centers on Linda, played by McAdams, a hardworking employee who's constantly overlooked. O'Brien plays Bradley, her younger and insufferably arrogant boss. Everything changes when their company plane crashes on a deserted island. Suddenly Linda's survival skills put her in charge.
Damian Shannon and Mark Swift wrote the screenplay. The film hits theaters January 30.