SEND HELP Was Initially a Psychological Thriller, Then Sam Raimi Turned It into a Darkly Funny Survival Ride
Send Help was initially imagined as a full on psychological thriller, as that’s exactly how screenwriters Damian Shannon and Mark Swift originally wrote it. But once Sam Raimi got involved, things took a very Raimi turn.
The film stars Rachel McAdams as Linda, an overworked and constantly dismissed employee, and Dylan O'Brien as Bradley, an arrogant new CEO who makes her life absolutely miserable. After their plane goes down, the two are forced to rely on each other to survive, which creates a pressure cooker of resentment, fear, and unexpected humor. Raimi couldn’t resist leaning into that chaos.
Producer Zainab Azizi explained how flexible the tone became once filming began, especially with Raimi at the helm.
"It's so much in Sam’s wheelhouse. We worked with his editor, his long-time collaborator Bob Murawski, and Bob is a magician. Rachel [McAdams] and Dylan [O'Brien] just gave it their all – we did many takes where a scene either went all the way comedy or all the way dark."
That tonal tug-of-war didn’t stop on set. In fact, it really came together in post-production, where Raimi and editor Bob Murawski shaped the final balance between dread and laughs.
"That's the magic of Bob and Sam; they were able to really fine-tune it in the editing room and find the perfect balance," he continued. "Having Sam as the director, of course there are some bits of horror, given that he is the horror master.
“And, as you know, [he] loves to blend the genres, so while it was written as a psychological thriller, a lot of comedy showed up!"
That genre blending is right at home for Raimi, whose career has always lived in that sweet spot between tension, absurdity, and outright fun. Send Help also marks his first time directing since his 2022 MCU outing, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and it’s clear he jumped back in with some wild energy.
Azizi was immediately drawn to the story’s central dynamic and how relatable it feels, even when things get extreme.
"Linda is overworked and undervalued and underpaid. We've all been Linda. Everyone's had a terrible boss," Azizi added. "I just felt that it was a very universal and yet original hook. I brought it to Sam to produce and he loved it so much that he wanted to direct it."
The end result is a blast! Send Help is sharp, dark, and unexpectedly hilarious in all the right places. It’s pure Raimi energy, weird, intense, and funny. I loved this movie and I’ve already seen it twice. It’s such a fun and wild ride that never loses momentum.
Send Help arrives in theaters on January 30, and if you’re a fan of Sam Raimi letting loose, you’re going to have a great time.