Get ready for a wild ride that flips the script on workplace nightmares – imagine surviving a plane crash only to find yourself battling wits and wills with your insufferable boss on a deserted island! This is the electrifying premise of Send Help, the latest darkly comedic horror thriller from 20th Century Studios, and we're diving deep into the first trailer that's got everyone buzzing.
Directed by the legendary Sam Raimi, known for his masterful blends of humor and horror in films like Evil Dead or Spider-Man, this flick promises to keep you on the edge of your seat with its unsettling mix of laughs and chills. Starring the brilliant Rachel McAdams – fresh off her Oscar-nominated role in Spotlight – as Linda Liddle, an employee who's long been undervalued and dismissed at work. And then there's Dylan O’Brien, bringing his intense charisma from Teen Wolf spin-off Twinless to the character of Bradley Preston, the boss from hell who embodies every power-hungry executive you've ever dreaded. We first broke the news about Raimi's involvement back in July 2024 (check out the scoop here: https://deadline.com/2024/07/sam-raimi-to-direct-send-help-20th-century-studios-horror-thriller-1236004726/), and now the trailer reveals the chaos: a plane crash leaves them as the only survivors, stranded on this eerie island where survival means confronting old grudges head-on.
But here's where it gets controversial... On the surface, it's a story of teamwork under duress – they have to put aside their differences to make it out alive. Yet, the trailer hints at something far more sinister and darkly funny: Linda, who starts off as mild-mannered, seizes control over the injured Bradley, proving she's the one with the real survival smarts. It's a thrilling power shift that raises eyebrows – is this empowering revenge fantasy or a cautionary tale about how desperation can unleash our darker sides? For beginners in horror-thriller genres, think of it as a modern twist on classics like Lord of the Flies, where social hierarchies crumble under pressure, but with Raimi's signature comedic edge to lighten the terror. And this is the part most people miss: the film doesn't shy away from exploring how workplace toxicity can mirror life-or-death scenarios, making you question your own professional relationships long after the credits roll.
Scheduled to hit theaters across the country on January 30, 2026, Send Help draws from an original screenplay by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift, the duo behind the hilarious Baywatch. Raimi teams up with producer Zainab Azizi under Raimi Productions, with JJ Hook (The Amateur) handling executive duties. The supporting cast is a powerhouse too: Edyll Ismail from La Brea, Dennis Haysbert (Far from Heaven), Xavier Samuel (Elvis), Chris Pang (Crazy Rich Asians), Thaneth Warakulnukroh (the real-life Thai Cave Rescue hero), and Emma Raimi (Happy Pills). All these talents come together to amplify the island's isolation and the duo's escalating tension.
Don't miss out – click above to watch the trailer for Send Help and see if Linda's transformation has you rooting for her or questioning if revenge ever truly satisfies. Is this just harmless fun, or does it touch on deeper societal issues like gender dynamics in power struggles? Do you think a horror-comedy like this could go too far, or is it a genius way to tackle office politics? We'd love to hear your take – agree, disagree, or have a wild interpretation of your own? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
