The struggle for power in ‘Send Help’

Survival horror has returned with a vengeance in director Sam Raimi’s dark-comedy, Send Help. Raimi manages to breathe life into an all too cliche plane crash turned remote island survival plot. This glimpse into dominance, catastrophe and revenge allows audiences everywhere to squirm in their seats and ponder whether or not they should buy a survival handbook. 

Rachel McAdams is a powerhouse in her role as an awkward corporate strategist. The role of Linda is a sure difference from her stand-out role as Regina George in Mean Girls. McAdams embodies the nerdy character of Linda, something she achieved by awkwardly injecting herself into conversations with co-workers. 

Dylan O’Brien plays the narcissistic Bradley Preston, who has now taken over as CEO. Preston has recently snubbed Linda on a promotion, instead giving it to his college friend in the office. The character of Linda is constantly taken advantage of in the office, with people stealing her work and overlooking her. When Bradley and his co-workers reluctantly invite her to a business conference, she vows to make an impression. 

In a turn of events, their plane suddenly crashes leaving only Bradley and Linda on a remote island in Thailand. No longer constrained to work hours, corporate memos and humiliation from her co-workers, Linda realizes that life on the island might be what she was always looking for. 

At first ridiculing Linda for auditioning to be on Survivor, Bradley quickly realizes she may be his only savior. Bradley himself has no survival skills. Instead, he now must rely on Linda if he wants a chance to get off the island. 

Courtesy of 20th Century Studios

As time on the island grows, it becomes clear that Linda is now the one with the power over Bradley.

As time progresses, it becomes clear that Bradley is the only one who wants to get off the island. Linda has comfortably adapted to hunting and is now glowing. In a stark contrast from before, her once limp hair is now sun-kissed and her skin bright and healthy. There is no longer the hierarchy of the office and Bradley no longer has control over Linda. 

Send Help balances dry, dark humor with uncomfortable, gory scenes that make the audience wonder if they should be laughing, cringing or both. McAdams has perfected the role of a rage-filled woman who is constantly squashed down by sexism and bullying. On the island, she is now free to  show off her skills in a place her boss has no power. O’Brien is a perfect match for McAdams viscous performance by transforming from a pompous leader into a meek nobody. 

This film focuses on the rapid shift in power between the two characters. Once hoping Bradley would throw her a bone in the office, Linda is now the one calling the shots. Bradley simply knows he is useless without Linda, something that eats at him during the film. 

Since both actors deliver such satisfying performances, it’s unclear who the audience should root for. Linda begins with setting boundaries with Bradley and proving her worth. However, she soon starts to unravel into a murderous, twisted individual. One that obsessively tries to keep Bradley, and herself, trapped on the island. 

The main enjoyment of the film is knowing that both characters harbor secrets and intend on sabotaging each other. This is something both of them prove as they each want to be the one with all the power. Twists and turns are around each corner as both characters duke it out and try to one-up each other in games of cleverness and resourcefulness. 

Cartoonish scenes, such as a boar hunting, linger in drawn out and gory detail for the sake of being comical, adding a sense of uncomfortable amusement. Intense moments involving bug eating, failed fort building and lavish sushi making give the audience moments to breathe before the film thrown in a completely different direction, perfectly balancing its humor and darkness.

Throughout the film, it’s unclear with the audience if Bradley or Linda can be trusted. It’s evident that both characters wonder the same about each other as well. Intense scenes of food poisoning, threats held at knife-point and lies told ultimately lead to the final plot twist of the film.

Ultimately, Send Help is a fresh take on survival horror that will leave a lasting impression even days after walking out of the theater.