Send Help Review: A Dark Comedy That Entertains

Send Help is a horror comedy with elements of the thriller and adventure subgenres. This story is directed by the legendary director Sam Reimi and stars Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien.

From the beginning, Send Help shows a contrast that is reflected in Bradley, a despicable executive who assumes the position after the death of his father, and Linda, his eccentric employee. Despite her clumsiness at first, she turns out to be the most skilled, intelligent and essential to survive in a hostile environment: a remote island, full of toxic plants, with little food, wild boars on the loose and exposed to drastic changes in the climate. Thus, after the plane crash that leads them to this adverse environment, the public realizes that the real inept is him, although at first it seems the opposite.

This horror comedy has two goals: to offer a cynical and biting humor that mocks everyday situations, while presenting a clear social criticism. The film calls into question the selfish and arrogant attitudes of several CEOs today, who come to power by inheriting rather than gaining their position, in front of valuable human and professional people who, due to their appearance or personality, are uncomfortable in their workplace.

Although the plot develops with humor and criticism, the film navigates between different genres: it starts as a tragicomedy, moves to thriller and sometimes has touches of romantic drama, to finally lean towards a dark humor and horror, very much in the line of Raimi. This unconventional combination is sustained thanks to an outstanding cast. In addition, the images transform the island and its landscape into another character in the story. Despite its strengths, which include social criticism, the pace is uneven and may not attract some viewers, both for its humor and for its violence and gore, but it is precisely this combination that makes it unique among current productions.

The story

Linda Liddle works in the Strategy and Planning department of a large consulting firm. She performs very efficiently a complicated analysis of facts and figures, but it is always her bosses who get the recognition, in addition to criticizing her way of dressing, her manners and her habits, among others. The long-awaited promotion she has been promised disappears when a new boss named Bradley Preston arrives, who does nothing but make her uncomfortable. However, Bradley requires her skills to lead an upcoming merger and takes her on the company's private jet. During a thunderstorm, the plane plunges into the ocean and all the passengers die, except Linda and Bradley.

After this introduction, the film not only changes its location, but also its tone, style and dynamics of interaction, since Linda is presented as much more flexible and resolute in the tasks of survival, unlike a Bradley who turns out to be quite incapable without the comforts of the consumerist society and the privileges that have shaped him.

The director starts the film with a style similar to that of classic comedies, and gradually moves towards a wilder, rude and aggressive atmosphere. The result is a mix between a survival adventure and a cruel cartoon, where every physical joke and every moment of embarrassment have a double meaning: they provoke laughter and, at the same time, reveal power dynamics that are familiar to anyone who has ever worked in an office.

Conclusion

Raimi presents a fun experience that is just as chaotic and unclear as it is lively, accepting, and especially cheeky. The piece favors a somewhat dreamlike fantasy over Östlund's challenging realism, moving forward continuously without allowing for conventional aspects like a clear storyline, intentional acting, or a structured stage design. Rachel Adams returns to her preference for daring endeavors, while Raimi engages and amuses us with a lesson about wild endurance against the bizarre labor conditions that exist globally.