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The Mirror
The Student News Site of Van Nuys High School

The Mirror

With nerve and precision, “Send Help” proves that sometimes the smallest stories generate the biggest tension

By Gavin Vargas, Staff Writer • Mar 4, 2026
The cover for the movie "Send Help" starring Rachel McAdams, Dylan O'Brien and Dennis Haysbert INSTAGRAM | @20thcenturystudiosid
The cover for the movie “Send Help” starring Rachel McAdams, Dylan O’Brien and Dennis Haysbert INSTAGRAM | @20thcenturystudiosid

Directed by Sam Raimi, this movie marks a return to the kind of contained, high-stakes storytelling that first defined his career. After years away from small-scale thrillers, Raimi proves he can still turn minimal settings into pressure cookers. In an era crowded with bloated blockbusters, “Send Help” feels refreshingly lean and exciting.

Raimi’s direction is highly efficient, favoring long, creeping camera movements that build dread rather than relying on cheap jump scares. The cinematography by Bill Pope turns tight spaces into visual traps, framing characters in ways that emphasize isolation. Rachel McAdams’ lead enticing performance balances panic and resolve without ever tipping into melodrama.

A mid-film sequence involving a single unanswered phone call shot in one unbroken take — captures the movie’s central tension and showcases Raimi’s command of silence as a storytelling tool.

If you’re craving a smart, tightly wound thriller, “Send Help” is worth indulging.

DETAILS:
Title: “Send Help”
Director: Sam Raimi
Starring: Rachel McAdams, Dylan O’Brien, Dennis Haysbert
Rating: R
Runtime: 1h 54m
Genre: Horror/Comedy
Now playing: Only in theaters

Trailer: https://youtu.be/R4wiXj9NmEE

 

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about the contributor
Gavin Vargas
Gavin Vargas, Staff Writer
Gavin Vargas, a junior, is on the staff of The Mirror, the award-winning student newspaper and website at Van Nuys High School in Los Angeles. Vargas is obsessed with fashion and music, particularly enjoying genres like rap, EDM, house and electronic music. Outside of school, he enjoys listening to music, shopping and spending time with his girlfriend and friends. To relax, he often listens to music, takes a nap or enjoys some quiet time alone. He is also interested in videography, photography and video editing and visual effects. After graduating high school, Vargas plans to attend college, although he is still exploring his options. One of his aspirations is to visit Tokyo to experience the vibrant city atmosphere and see the famous Shibuya Crossing.
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