Sam Raimi's Psychological Thriller 'Send Help' Set for Theatrical Release on January 30, 2026

The world premiere of Sam Raimi’s latest psychological thriller, 'Send Help,' was recently celebrated at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. This cinematic event marks a significant homecoming for the director, as it represents his first return to the pure horror genre in 15 years, following the 2009 release of 'Drag Me to Hell.' Distributed by 20th Century Studios, the film is scheduled for an exclusive theatrical debut in the United States on January 30, 2026.

Raimi, who has recently been at the helm of massive blockbusters such as 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,' is revisiting the visceral storytelling style that first launched his career in the 1980s with 'The Evil Dead.' The screenplay for this new venture was penned by the writing duo of Damian Shannon and Mark Swift, the creative minds behind 'Freddy vs. Jason' and the 2009 reboot of 'Friday the 13th.' The production features a runtime of 113 minutes, with a score by legendary composer Danny Elfman and cinematography by Bill Pope.

The narrative centers on the strained relationship between two colleagues: Linda Liddle, portrayed by Rachel McAdams, and her chauvinistic boss, Bradley Preston, played by Dylan O’Brien. Their lives are irrevocably changed when they become the sole survivors of a plane crash on a remote, uninhabited island. While Bradley initially treated Linda with condescension despite her promised promotion, the brutal reality of survival forces a radical shift in their power dynamic. Raimi has described the project as a story of female empowerment and profound transformation, exploring universal themes of respect and human kindness under extreme pressure.

The Hollywood world premiere took place on the evening of Wednesday, January 21, 2026, drawing a crowd that included producer Zainab Azizi, composer Danny Elfman, and supporting cast members Edil Ismail and Chris Pang. Early critical reactions following the screening have been overwhelmingly positive. Jeff Conway of Forbes lauded McAdams, calling her performance the 'best of her career,' while SlashFilm’s Bill Bria characterized the movie as 'smart, tense, and incredibly funny.' Other critics, such as Griffin Schiller of Film Speak, compared the film to a 'sadistic Raimi-esque spin on Phantom Thread,' describing it as a karmic dismantling of monstrous male infantilism through a subverted power structure.

Following its initial theatrical window starting January 30, 2026, 'Send Help' is slated to arrive on streaming platforms Hulu and Disney+ later that year. The project is being hailed as a high-potential release, particularly noting Rachel McAdams’ return to the thriller-horror space for the first time since her 2005 role in 'Red Eye.' Combined with the star power of Dylan O’Brien and Raimi’s directorial pedigree, the film is positioned to be one of the most talked-about releases of the 2026 season.