Send Help is kind of the movie that will have you laughing and scared that you might lose your sanity.
Sam Raimi is known for combining comedy and horror elements in strange ways, and honestly, Send Help is one of the strangest movies I’ve watched in a while. It subverts expectations and blurs the lines between hero and villain. It’s easy to hate or cheer for both lead characters. At the end of the day, I think the film shows how fast we can lose our humanity in challenging situations.
The movie is a combination of genres, and I think it works best during its dark comedic moments. The scary elements also work great, but I wouldn’t classify it as horror. I love a movie that can cover a multitude of themes and genres, but I feel like this movie sometimes feels like it has an identity crisis. I get it, that’s what Sam Raimi does, but a little less jumping between the genres would’ve been great.
The best part of Send Help is the acting. Rachel McAdams starts out as a nerdy “accountant” and slowly evolves into someone sinister, or at least that’s how it seems. Dylan O’Brien is fantastic as well. He really works well as an a-hole type of person. They play off each other so well, and they really carry the film with strong performances.
The characters also really shine in their island environment, bringing different sides to the forefront. The setting feels real, and it’s clear that they made use of a lot of practical effects. There are a few CGI shots in the movie, especially with the plane crash, but the movie still feels more grounded in reality. It also has a feeling of dark fantasy, but without really exploring it.
I think the Danny Elfman score adds to the dark fantasy feel. It elevates moments that bridge the comedic and horror sides of the movie. Elfman’s score always feels a little fantastical, and I think it perfectly suits this movie. The sound design also adds to those horror or thriller moments.
It’s been a long time since I watched a Sam Raimi film that really focuses on what makes him a great director, so you can definitely expect a bunch of first-person shots, Dutch angles, and fast cuts. It’s great when a studio allows a filmmaker to just be themselves.
Now that said, I know that not everyone is a fan of Raimi’s style. I fairly enjoy it, and I enjoyed his storytelling ability. I haven’t always been the biggest horror fan, but movies like this really give the genre something special.
This might not be Sam Raimi’s best movie, but it’s a fun experience. The characters are great, and they are made even better by exceptional performances. I love Raimi’s direction, but at times the movie relies too much on comedy than horror. It doesn’t fully find that middle ground between genres, but it still delivers an entertaining film. It might not be for everyone and it might be a little forgettable, but I still think it’s worth watching at least once.
