Unveiling the Undeniable Impact of Sam Raimi in Horror Genre Through ‘Send Help’

Sam Raimi has made his mark in the film industry with a stunning array of genre-spanning films, earning massive respect in the process. His cinematic journey began with the iconic horror film, ‘The Evil Dead’, in 1981, and since then, he has explored a wide range of genres, from thrillers and westerns to baseball dramas and superhero blockbusters, each demonstrating his signature style.

Sam Raimi's newest cinematic contribution, ‘Send Help,’ is a return to this horror genre after a gap of nearly two decades since 2009's ‘Drag Me To Hell’. This film once again showcases how adept he is at crafting chilling narratives in a unique and captivating manner.

The film stars Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien, who play the roles of Linda Liddle and Bradley, a pair of colleagues who find themselves stranded on a deserted island after surviving a plane crash. The premise of the film echoes Lina Wertmüller's ‘Swept Away,’ but with romance removed and misery added, leading to an exploration of gender and class dynamics in a thrilling and eerily humorous way.

Despite being officially labeled as a horror film, 'Send Help' goes beyond black and white narratives to reveal the layered personalities of both leading characters. It's a skillful blend of compelling narrative and brilliant performances from the lead actors, with Rachel's transformation and O’Brien's despicability delivered in a dramatically engaging way.

Raimi's deep love for making audiences squirm is clearly evident in ‘Send Help’, with the film delivering on its promise of dark fantasy elements in spades. The horror fare offered is gritty, from a wild boar hunt to an understated final face-off, showcased with impressive special effects and Raimi's signature vision.

Although it's acknowledged that Raimi is not making films as regular as he did in the1990s, the long wait for ‘Send Help’ is justifiable for fans of his work – the film certainly delivers and proves once again why Raimi holds such standing in the realm of horror cinema, almost forty-five years since his first iconic contribution, ‘The Evil Dead’. Raimi’s skill of making audiences squirm, so vibrantly displayed in ‘Send Help’, only amplifies his significance in the canon of genre filmmaking.