By: Dana Jacoviello
I can rave about the new film Send Help all day – mostly because it was echoing much more mysteriously than a plane crash on the way to a work trip where the only two survivors are stranded on a seemingly beautiful island beach. The two main characters are far from boring in various different ways. It’s not just a game of wit and charm. The film goes much deeper as time goes on. It is relatable to many in the workplace, I’m sure, as well. We have all most likely had an arrogant bully for a boss – if not worse. When I think of a great movie to watch, Send Help would be one of them.
Send Help starts right off the bat in catching your attention. It sounds similar to Castaway when you read the synopsis, right? But it is far from it. Linda Liddle (Rachel McAdams), a very awkward and shy personality, goes on a work trip where she is stranded on a remote island. However, she is also stuck with her boss Bradley Preston (Dylan O’Brien), who is a complete and utter disgusting human being that has treated her horribly and passed her up for a promotion. He is that typical stereotype of pretty boy frat guy. Bradley has only let Linda join him on the trip to appease her as he bullied her while laughing in her face over her audition to be on the show “Survivor.” Linda is a huge fan of the series, which makes this more fun to watch. You truly feel sorry for her from the start. This skilled survivalist is a smart woman so being stranded on an island makes her someone not to mess around with. Will she be seeking revenge or help this man that made her life miserable? Watch to find out.
Rachael McAdams was incredible in this comedy meets horror flick. I say both because you both laugh and cringe. You aren’t sure which way to go or if Linda is slowly losing her mind from what she has been through. She does have secrets she is hiding as well. Rightfully so though, with such a man she is not able to trust, and it becomes more and more enticing to keep watching. It is dark, so be prepared for that. Bradley even seems to try to outwit Linda throughout their time on their island. Send Help is a simple movie filmed in not many locations with simple characters that become mouth dropping to watch unravel.
The entire movie was fascinating. Every scene you wondered what these two people would do next as they do not like each other or get along. A boss who treats his employee like dirt in the office in front of the entire company on a deserted island together fighting for survival are going to get by…In fact, with Linda’s survival skills you get the feeling she is enjoying the beautiful island. She makes huts and has water and food. She is living her best life. Unlike her narcissistic boss who you love to hate. O’Brien also did an astonishing job at getting the audience to not only dislike him, but loathe how he treats this woman. You want to literally yell at the screen anytime you think he is turning a corner to be a better person. Linda even confides in Bradley at one point regarding her previously dead first husband. There is much more to this quiet and awkward Linda. She is not exactly who you would think she is based on her appearance at the beginning and then the transformation you see on the island after the plane crash is outstanding. The movie was brilliant and done is a very secluded way, but with some good laughs in there, too. Dark comedy is not easy to do, but both Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien absolutely destroyed these parts in the best way. Your mind will be exploding by the end of Send Help.
I will warn you now, the film does get graphic at times. I have felt for a long time in Hollywood we continue to see the same films, but this was a nice change. It was written well, cast well and fun and interesting to watch. I am not even sure if I blinked. There are definitely some mouth covering moments. Sam Raimi, the director of ‘Send Help’ did a great job. I am familiar with his work, and I was not disappointed. I was happy to see Rachel McAdams (Linda Liddle) back on my screen for such a movie as this. I feel like you often just see the same faces over and over. This movie was a pleasant surprise. It was simple, but it wasn’t. Simple in a good way as there is such a thing as overdoing scenes. I was scared of Rachel McAdams in this movie. This is not a role like any other I have seen from her before. It showed a more versatile aspect to her art and how she worked as an actor under the direction of Sam Raimi.
Run to see Send Help if you enjoy dark comedies. If you like different, unique, fun, exciting and shock, this is a film for you to watch. There are definitely some jaw dropping moments you will not see coming or be ready for, which is what made the movie so exciting to watch. Do not let the beautiful island fool you. There are secrets to figure out throughout this movie and you begin to question both characters the more you watch. No more teasers. Go watch this movie.