Muses of Media

“We’re not in the office anymore, Bradley.” –Linda

We’ve all been there before – undervalued, overworked, underpaid, people taking credit for our hard work, and the list goes on. This is what Linda Liddle (Rachel McAdams) has to deal with in Send Help, a comedy with survival elements that will appeal to fans of dark humour and character-driven stories. However, when a plane crash occurs en route to a work event, Linda is stranded on a deserted island with her jerk of a boss, Bradley (Dylan O’Brien), helping him and keeping him alive, but at what cost? Well, you’ll have to watch the movie to find out. 

Directed by Sam Raimi with a script from Damian Shannon and Mark Swift, Send Help is an exciting, hilarious, and sometimes gruesome romp following two people who despise each other but are forced together due to miserable circumstances. Shannon and Swift’s script does a fantastic job of giving audiences a look into the lives of our main characters. Hardworking and optimistic, Linda is a keener. Her desire to connect, despite others brushing her off, will instantly tug at your heartstrings. But as her co-workers consistently avoid her and make it known she’s unwelcome at the after-work events, she ends up going home to her primary source of comfort and conversation, her bird, Sweetie.

On the other hand, you have Bradley. A popular, handsome, nepotistic hire who wants to give promotions to his buddies instead of the employees who actually deserve them. You’ve likely had a boss like this (or will have a boss like this) at some point in your life, and it’s never fun. It’s infuriating and will probably give you rage that you can’t express – unless you end up stuck with said boss on an island. Perhaps then the playing field would be more level.

Apart or together, Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien bring their A-game. You can tell the pair is having the time of their lives throughout the film, and the movie is all the better for it. Often, McAdams is a scene stealer, and that is no different in Send Help. Whether trying not to cry after an emotional confrontation in her boss’s office or delivering Regina George levels of sass and screams, McAdams nails the role of Linda with ease. McAdams has always been a stellar actress, and watching her weave between the many complexities that make up Linda solidified this fact. It’s one of those roles that, now that I’ve seen McAdams in the film, it’s hard to imagine anyone else portraying Linda.

As for O’Brien’s Bradley, he’s certainly a character you’ll love to hate. As soon as he enters the frame, there’s just something you don’t like – a testament to O’Brien’s skills in the role. Bradley is your typical dismissive boss who lauds his power over his subordinates, particularly Linda. If I had to compare Bradley’s attitude with another character, he is very similar to Kuzco from The Emperor’s New Groove, and O’Brien plays it perfectly. 

While the two leads shine, the shenanigans they get up to keep the movie rolling along, blending comedy, horror, and satire. Shannon and Swift’s script keeps the laughs and thrills coming in ways you don’t expect. Of course, Send Help doesn’t necessarily reinvent the wheel with some of its plotlines. However, it will still keep the audience entertained, especially by subverting the narrative of survivalist horror flicks. Not only that, but it puts a new spin on the idea of the “last one standing” often seen in movies. The gore throughout the film is not just for laughs and shock value. It smartly plays a bigger role in the narrative, showcasing the descent into madness as Linda and Bradley are stranded on the island, perhaps a slight nod to Lord of the Flies. 

Perhaps the best part of the movie is the way that the tables quickly turn when Bradley is out of his element. Suddenly, he is unable to berate Linda or put her down. While his and the other employees’ reliance on Linda was something easily hidden in the office, out on a deserted island, it’s a completely different story. Stranded on the island, Bradley cannot survive without Linda, just like in the workplace. This shift and change in power dynamics highlight the film’s clever commentary on dependence and where true power lies.

In true Raimi-directed movie fashion, Send Help keeps you on your toes in the best way. When you think you might have things figured out, you swiftly learn you’re dead wrong, which should make viewers feel excited and eager to see what happens next. Featuring a fun concept and a hilarious script, Send Help is an entertaining crowd-pleaser that boasts a phenomenal performance from Rachel McAdams that you won’t want to miss.

Send Help releases in theatres on January 30!