Movie Review - Send Help

Director: Sam Raimi
Genre: Horror/ Thriller
Runtime: 113 minutes
Year: 2026
Starring: Rachel McAdams, Dylan O’Brien
 
Description: Linda (Rachel McAdams) and her insufferable boss Bradley (Dylan O’Brien) become stranded on a deserted island, the only survivors of a plane crash. Here, they must overcome past grievances and work together to survive, will they make it our alive?
 
Review: In the survival horror/ thriller “Send Help”, we are confronted not only with the brutal force of nature, but also with the psychological warfare between two survivors on a desert island. What begins as a classic survival story transforms, under the direction of Sam Raimi, into a claustrophobic study of power dynamics and the liberating power of feminine rage.

Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien form an unexpected electric couple. When their plane crashes, the situation forces them to work together. O’Brien plays the insufferable CEO of a large company and he does this with a nervous energy that slowly turns into a toxic need to prove himself. But it’s Rachel McAdams who takes the film to the next level. Her characters Linda, a grey mouse at the office who’s talent is underestimated and taken advantage of, starts out controlled and pragmatic. But as the isolation sets in and the threat of her companion becomes greater than that of the wilderness, we see a transition that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.

The film excels in its portrayal of feminine rage. This is not blind anger, but a calculated, deep-seated outburst against years of underestimation and manipulation. Because all the men in this movie are dicks. The scene in which McAdams’ character finally takes control feels not only like a victory in the jungle, but like a universal catharsis.

Director Sam Raimi does not abandon his horror roots, this is still an R-rated movie. The film contains some blood-curdling moments and has gore that will make the viewer physically recoil. The tension is masterfully built up. Although the pace slows down slightly in the second act, this more than compensated for by the satisfying finale.

“Send Help” is a brutal, emotional rollercoaster that gives Rachel McAdams her most powerful role in years. It is a film about the will to survive, but even more so about the power that is unleashed when a women refuses to be a victim any longer. An absolute must-see for anyone who loves psychological depth with a sharp edge.

Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Review - Saturday Night

Director: Jason Reitman
Genre: Comedy/ Drama
Runtime: 99 minutes
Year: 2024
Starring: Gabriel LaBelle, Rachel Sennot, Corey Michael Smith, Ella Hunt, Dylan O’Brien, Emily Fairn, Matt Wood, Lamorne Morris, Kim Matula, Finn Wolfhard, J.K. Simmons, Willem Dafoe, Brad Garrett
 
Description: At 11.30 p.m. on October 11^th 1975, a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television forever. Find out what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of “Saturday Night Live”.
 
Review: “Saturday Night Live” is an entertaining sketch comedy show. In the movie “Saturday Night” we see what happened in the 90 minutes before its first episode aired. A half-finished set and a nerve-wrecking deadline, it’s not really looking great. But on October 11^th 1975, this show changed television forever.

We are taken behind the scenes of the first groundbreaking episode of “Saturday night Live”. And it’s a crazy, chaotic 90 minutes. If you enjoy fast-paced punchline comedy performances, you will be in for a treat. This doesn’t leave any room for in-depth relationships or characters. But is that always necessary? As an absurd sketch, this comedy succeeds in its purpose and the way its filmed really fits with the sketch show it’s about.

It's clear that the actors we’re having a great time in this film. Few characters really stand out though, but the dialogues are sharp. Moreover, the tension builds well towards the start of the live broadcast. The nervous, chaotic film draws you in until the end. I had a blast watching “Saturday Night” and it’s a fun look behind the scenes.

Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Review - Caddo Lake

Director: Logan George, Celine held
Genre: Drama/ Mystery/ Thriller
Runtime: 99 minutes
Year: 2024
Starring: Dylan O’Brien, Eliza Scanlen, Caroline Falk, Lauren Ambrose, Sam Hennings, Diane Hooper, Eric Lange
 
Description: When an 8-year-old girl disappears on Caddo Lake, a series of past deaths and disappearances begin to link together, altering a broken family's history.

Review: Caddo Lake is a zone of hundreds of lakes and streams with overhanging trees in the southern United States. A young girl goes missing among the mangrove forest when she chases after her older half sister Ellie in a boat. Fed up with the arguments at home, Ellie spends the night at her friend’s house on the other side of one of the lakes. When she learns that her sister is lost, she rushes back to her mother and stepfather to join the search.

In another storyline about the residents around the lake area, scrap metal collector Paris is still struggling with the death of his mother, who crashed years ago. Paris led a reclusive existence ever since, still searching for answers around that mysterious day. Ellie’s physical quest and Paris’ spiritual one seem to have little connection, yet converge. Caddo Lake connects their lives in a way that is as chilling as it is meaningful.

Directing duo and husband and wife Celine held and Logan George set a tremendously atmospheric mystery with “Caddo Lake” that remains intriguing all the way to the end, when the pieces of the puzzle fall together. The mystery surrounding the characters and that vast lake builds slowly, but the tension is palpable in every scene.

Dylan O’Brien, who plays Paris, never managed to land on Hollywood’s A-list, but his acting has proven for years that he belongs among the talents of his generation. It is Eliza Scaneln as Ellie, however, who is the absolute star of the film. Her performance is mesmerizing.

“Caddo Lake” is best to watch without knowing to much about the plot. It has some mind blowing plot twists and remains intriguing until the very end. Really strong mystery, streaming on Prime right now.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Movie Review - Love and Monsters

Director: Michael Matthews
Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 109 minutes
Year: 2020
Starring: Dylan O’Brien, Jessica Henwick, Michael Rooker, Dan Ewing, Ariana Greenblatt, Ellen Hollman, Tre Hale, Paccharo Mzembe, Senie Priti, Amali Golden

Description: Seven years after he survived the monster apocalypse, lovably hapless Joel (Dylan O’Brien) leaves his cozy underground bunker behind on a quest to reunite with his ex (Jessica Henwick)

Review: Because of a chemical reaction, life on Earth has been forever affected. Animals have mutated into dangerous giant monsters, and humanity has already been substantially wiped out. Survivors hide in underground bunkers, including the terrified Joel Dawson. He decides to brave the monstrous world, searching for his ex-girlfriend Aimee.
In “Love and Monsters”, animals have mutated and become gigantic monsters. We see especially the normally small animals, like insects, frogs, snails, that turned into giant creatures. Suddenly these animals can be life-threatening. Seeing Joel struggle with these monstrous critters makes for a cool viewing experience. Fortunately, the film never takes itself too seriously and the tone remains lighthearted as a result. Which is the perfect choice for this movie.
In addition, “Love and Monsters” isn’t only action and adventure, it also knows when it’s time to catch your breath. The film gives out main character that extra push of character development and creates sympathy by highlighting his friendly relationship with Boy the dog. Also look out for a conversation between Joel and robot Mav1s that shows how beautiful the world can still be and that not everything is evil. Even during an apocalypse you have to keep looking for hope.
The story is pretty simple, but “Love and Monsters” impresses thanks to a charismatic leading man, incredible CGI and overall a very entertaining film. I really loved this movie, more then I expected too. One of my favorites of 2021.  

Rating: 4,5/ 5