Send Help - 2025 February

I’ve been a long-time admirer of Sam Raimi, and his upcoming horror movie, “Send Help,” is one I’m really looking forward to. However, not just as a fan of Sam Raimi’s films or great horror movies, but also as a film enthusiast in general, there are several aspects of this project that have me pondering deeply.

It’s been just a few months since “Send Help” was revealed as Sam Raimi’s first directorial project post his work on the Spider-Man trilogy, following his return to Marvel films with 2022’s “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.” Consequently, at this stage in its development, there isn’t much information available about the upcoming thriller. It’s unlikely that it will appear on the 2025 movie schedule, though. Here are some things we do know about the film, and I’ll address your questions after providing a brief overview.

Quick Facts About Send Help

From its title, you might infer some details about the plot of “Send Help“, as it marks Sam Raimi’s reunion with an actor from “Doctor Strange 2“. This film also brings together a pair of screenwriters who have extensive experience in both horror and comedy, genres that Raimi is well-known for excelling in. Here’s a brief rundown of the movie:

1. “Send Help”
2. Genre: Horror/Comedy (combining Sam Raimi’s expertise)
3. Collaboration: Sam Raimi, a renowned filmmaker, is reuniting with a star from “Doctor Strange 2“.
4. Screenwriters: The script has been penned by a duo who are veterans in both horror and comedy genres.
5. Preview the movie to see these elements come together!

Send Help is a survival thriller about co-workers stranded on a desert island
Send Help stars Dylan O’Brien and Rachel McAdams
Send Help is directed by Sam Raimi
Send Help is written by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift

Questions I Have About Send Help

With the details of the movie “Send Help” now under our belts, let’s delve into some mysteries surrounding this film and share my theories that have been brewing ever since I heard about it. We can begin by exploring its intriguing summary.

What Does “Cast Away Meets Misery” Mean?

In January 2025, Empire’s report on O’Brien and McAdams’ casting revealed that the film Send Help was originally conceived as a blend between “Cast Away” and “Misery“. Mentioning both Robert Zemeckis’ poignant 2000 drama starring Tom Hanks and Rob Reiner’s 1990 adaptation of Stephen King’s terrifying novel in the same breath definitely piques curiosity. However, the real question lies in how the writers plan to honor these two distinguished works of art within this narrative.

In a different phrasing, the idea of being stranded on an island has often evoked thoughts of the movie “Cast Away,” but what aspects or motifs does this new story share with “Misery”? It’s possible that as their characters struggle to survive, Emily Blunt and Jamie Dornan might develop a romantic bond that could eventually turn into something unhealthily obsessive. Personally, I would find such a plot development intriguing, and I’d be excited to see it unfold.

Will This Be Sam Raimi’s Official Return To More Overt Horror?

As a cinephile, I’ve witnessed Sam Raimi’s remarkable versatility as a director, demonstrating an uncanny ability to excel across various genres. His 2000s Spider-Man movie trilogy, particularly the first two installments, garnered widespread acclaim, standing tall among the best superhero films of their era. Moreover, he created a timeless Western masterpiece with The Quick and the Dead in 1995, and even managed to captivate baseball movie enthusiasts with his romantic drama, For Love of the Game, released in 1999.

Despite his most recognized masterpiece being the “Evil Dead” film series – a collection of intense possession movies he brought to life with the 1981 original that cemented him as an indie horror legend, one might wonder, what sort of “thriller” is the movie “Send Help” intended to be?

As a die-hard film enthusiast, it’s been over a decade since Sam Raimi, the mastermind behind classics like “Evil Dead” and “Drag Me to Hell,” has delivered a true horror gem. While I appreciate films like “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” and the pilot episode of “Ash vs. Evil Dead,” they don’t quite capture the essence of his horrifying brilliance. So, with bated breath, fellow fans and I have been eagerly waiting for Raimi to return to his roots, crafting a movie that truly packs a punch. Is “Send Help” going to be that film, offering something unique among survival movies with its raw thrills and copious gore? Or is he venturing in another direction that we admire him for?

Will Send Help Be Funny?

Raimi arguably revolutionized the horror-comedy genre with the 1987 release of “Evil Dead II,” skillfully combining gory special effects with a whimsical style reminiscent of classic “Looney Tunes” cartoons. His unique, dark humor has been a consistent feature in his work and is often eagerly awaited by viewers. As such, it’s reasonable to expect that “Send Help” might elicit some chuckles.

As a film enthusiast, I’m confident that this upcoming thriller will incorporate some unexpected comedic moments, given its screenwriters, Damian Shannon and Mark Swift. Much like Raimi, they made their mark in the industry with their horror genre work, specifically contributing to the 2003 clash of titans, “Freddy vs. Jason,” and the 2009 reinvention of “Friday the 13th.

Yet, their latest credit showcases a new spin: the 2017 comedy version of “Baywatch”, deviating from the original TV series. This suggests that the writing duo’s style might align perfectly with Raimi’s humor, potentially making “Send Help” an entertainingly refreshing project.

Will Bruce Campbell Make A Cameo?

A recurring feature in Raimi’s movie career is the presence of his old friend Bruce Campbell, who played the tenacious Ash Williams, a character known for his resourcefulness in the horror genre despite minor dialogue issues, in the original Evil Dead trilogy. This horror film legend has also appeared in cameos throughout Raimi’s films, with his most recent appearance being as Pizza Poppa in Doctor Strange 2. Fingers crossed that this tradition carries on in the upcoming movie, Send Help.

As a film aficionado, I can’t help but wonder if it’s inevitable that Campbell will make an appearance, but let’s not overlook the fact that he hasn’t graced some of his co-star’s movies, like when he was left out of The Quick and the Dead, as he confessed on X. Moreover, this film is set on a secluded desert island, which significantly limits the number of characters we might see other than our two main leads. Perhaps Raimi could cast Campbell in a role, such as O’Brien or McAdams’ superior, in a scene that takes place before they reach the island, or even a phantom-like figure. Anything would be cool enough.

Regardless of whether Campbell isn’t part of “Send Help,” I sense he might still play a role in the next edition of the series he significantly shaped – the upcoming “Evil Dead Burn,” where Raimi is also involved as producer. With luck, “Send Help” and this spin-off could potentially release around the same time, which makes 2026 an exciting period for fans of Raimi’s work!

2025-01-31 23:08