Rachel McAdams Embraces Career Firsts in Sam Raimi's Survival Thriller 'Send Help'
In a thrilling departure from her previous roles, Rachel McAdams takes on the character of Linda Liddle in director Sam Raimi's latest horror-comedy "Send Help". The film, which premiered in London this week, presents a survival showdown that McAdams describes as full of personal firsts after 25 years in the industry.
A Battle of Wills on a Desert Island
McAdams portrays Linda Liddle, a smart but frumpy employee who has long toiled in the strategy and planning department of a consultancy firm. Her character faces marginalization from her new misogynistic and entitled boss, Bradley, played by Dylan O'Brien. Given a final opportunity to prove her worth, Linda joins Bradley and his colleagues on a business trip to Bangkok.
The plot takes a dramatic turn when their plane crashes in a freak storm, leaving Linda and Bradley as the sole survivors stranded on a remote island. As a fan of the TV show "Survivor", Linda thrives in this harsh new environment, skillfully reversing the power dynamics between them. What begins as tension soon escalates into a intense battle of wills, blending thriller elements with Raimi's signature dark humor.
Behind the Scenes: Firsts and Fun on Set
At the London premiere, McAdams expressed her enthusiasm for the role, stating, "Linda's been definitely one of the most fun parts I've played. There's just so much to do, from the survival training to being bloodied up like nobody's business. I definitely had a lot of firsts on this film. And after 25 years, you know, that's kind of exciting."
Despite the film's gory scenes and challenging survival narrative, co-star Dylan O'Brien revealed that the production was less physically demanding than it appears on screen. "I think it was a lot more fun than maybe you're thinking," O'Brien commented. "I guess that's the movie magic of it. It looks really miserable and we're having all this stuff thrown onto us and coming out of us, but it was a blast."
The film was shot across multiple locations including Thailand, Australia, and Los Angeles, adding to its authentic survival atmosphere.
Sam Raimi's Vision for Audience Engagement
Director Sam Raimi, known for classics like "Evil Dead" and "Spider-Man," directed from a script by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift. He shared his creative vision for the film, aiming to keep audiences constantly engaged and guessing. "I really wanted to follow the screenplay, which suggested it could be a really good audience manipulation film where they just don't know what's happening next," Raimi explained.
He further added, "It's a lot of fun to be in the crowd when you're invested in the characters and you're trying to figure out which way it's going to go." This approach promises a cinematic experience that blends suspense with unexpected twists, characteristic of Raimi's hallmark style.
"Send Help" opens in cinemas globally this week, offering viewers a unique blend of horror, comedy, and survival drama that showcases Rachel McAdams in a groundbreaking role.
