“Send Help” serves as a reminder of why we go to the movies in the first place. The thrilling and provocative film puts a campy twist on survival, comedy, and feminist horror all in one shocking revenge story.
The movie follows a woman named Linda, played by Rachel McAdams. After years as a highly valuable asset at her corporation, Linda wants nothing more than to be promoted, a dream that her jerk of a boss, Bradley, played by Dylan O’Brien, intentionally passes her up for in favor of one of his buddies after inheriting his new CEO position from his late father.
Filled with rage at the decision, Linda confronts Bradley, who harshly explains that he sees no value in her but will give her the chance to prove herself by inviting her on a business trip to Bangkok with other executives. During the flight, Linda is humiliated by all of her male coworkers, especially Bradley, making it obvious that she’s only there to be used for her skills.
The plane hits heavy turbulence as it struggles through a heavy storm. Suddenly, one of the engines fails, forcing the plane to crash-land into the ocean, brutally killing everyone in it but Linda and Bradley. The two colleagues become stranded on a remote island where the power dynamics between them shift. Linda is now Bradley’s jerkish boss in a way, forcing him to confront the horrible way he treated her back at the office.
This movie was one of the few in which I had no idea which direction it was going next. The tension between Linda and Bradley, for example, was so unpredictable and intense, it felt like every minute that went by was a minute closer to them either tearing each other apart or falling in love. You couldn’t tell when or if they would act on this tension, the power Linda gains over Bradley contributes to this immensely.
The moment they wash up on the island, Linda becomes the one in control of the situation, something Bradley is immediately threatened by but is forced to accept. This is such a refreshing take on the stranded-on-an-island trope, by which usually the man takes this role.
Linda’s personality takes a total 180, going from awkward and meek to a complete girlboss once she is in her element. This transformation is beautiful and really relatable as someone who can go from shy and awkward to outspoken and loud in a space that’s comfortable and familiar.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the campy nature that was amplified by the gory, revolting scenes, jumpscares, unrealistic CGI, and the overall unserious tone of the film. These wonderfully horrible scenes showcase how different Linda and Bradley’s attitudes are towards the situation: Bradley is way more desperate and goes to extreme lengths for survival compared to Linda, who effortlessly finds food and shelter.
The scenes are also very jarring at first, but McAdams’ and O’Brien’s comedic touches managed to keep me, along with most others in my theatre, dying of laughter for pretty much the entire movie, even when the characters are put in terrifying situations.
Above all, McAdams’ and O’Brien’s acting completely steal the film. They play their roles beautifully and almost make the film feel like a reality TV show with how real their reactions feel. They use their roles to perfectly encapsulate someone quickly losing their sanity on a stranded island and do this in an over-the-top, but not cheesy way we’ve seen time and time again with this trope, making for a refreshing and captivating performance.
“Send Help” is why I go to the movies; it keeps your eyes glued to the screen and your body trapped in your seat. The film is honestly not for everyone, but if you’re a fan of intense horror, unserious, or feminist movies, or just have an open mind for movies in general, it’s definitely worth experiencing in theatres.
