Last night's 'it's 1am and I can't sleep' watch was 'Send Help', which I wanted to love but found just OK. It felt oddly restrained for a Raimi film, it had its funny moments and a few of his trademarks, but overall it didn't know where to lean. The movie clearly didn't set out to make any grand commentary on workplace sexism or social dynamics, though those themes are utilised quite well, and it never pretended to be elevated horror (not that I particularly like the artistic division the term creates), but I wish it had picked a lane between taking its plot points more seriously or, preferably, going fully unhinged, instead of remaining in a tame middle. Much like I wish Raimi had been given free rein to go full-on horror with 'Multiverse of Madness'.
I'm generally not a fan of the 'socially anxious/neurodivergent character played as an exaggerated caricature' trope, but it can work. There's a bit of 'Carrie' and a bit of 'Misery' in this, blended with some strong 'Triangle of Sadness' elements. Can't say I didn't enjoy it, but the way it ends also involves another trope I don't especially love either.
On the plus side, it's good seeing Sam Raimi return to his horror roots after way over a decade, and the casting was spot-on: Dylan O’Brien makes a very convincing insufferable tech-bro nepo baby, and Rachel McAdams is fantastic as Linda. I just wish the movie didn't hold back in certain aspects with her and had taken some even bolder steps to reach its full potential.
