Dylan O’Brien Starring Opposite Rachel McAdams In Sam Raimi’s New Horror Thriller

Joining Rachel McAdams, Dylan O’Brien is set to headline Spider-Man director Sam Raimi‘s upcoming horror thriller from 20th Century Studios. McAdams was in talks to star back in October 2024, months after the Evil Dead director closed the deal for the movie in July. Raimi has been mostly involved in the horror genre as a producer in recent years, working on projects such as Netflix’s hit horror thriller Don’t Move and 2023’s Evil Dead Rise. The last time Raimi served as a director was 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

Besides starring in iconic franchises and films, including The Notebook, Sherlock Holmes, and Mean Girls, McAdams worked with Raimi on the 2022 Marvel film, where she played Doctor Strange’s love interest, Dr. Christine Palmer. Meanwhile, O’Brien is best known for playing Stiles Stilinski in Teen Wolf and Thomas in the Maze Runner franchise. Most recently, he starred in Jason Reitman’s 2024 movie Saturday Night and was recognized for his outstanding portrayal of a young Dan Aykroyd.

Dylan O’Brien Joins Rachel McAdams In Send Help

Send Help Marks Sam Raimi’s Return To The Horror Genre

Titled Send Help, the legendary horror director’s upcoming film is billed as a two-handed horror thriller with a story between Rob Reiner’s Misery and Robert Zemeckis’ Castaway. It will mark Raimi’s official long-awaited return to horror as a filmmaker. Interior Chinatown star Chris Pang has already been eyed for an undisclosed role.

According to Deadline, O’Brien will star opposite McAdams in Send Help. His role has not been revealed yet. Raimi will direct and co-produce the film along with Zainab Azizi under the Raimi Productions banner. Based on an original script by Baywatch scribes Damian Shannon and Mark Swift, the synopsis sees two colleagues being stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash, and they must “overcome grievances and work together to survive” in the battle of wills and wits. The film is expected to receive a theatrical release.

Our Take On Send Help

Could It Reach The Same Level Of Horror As Evil Dead?

2022’s Doctor Strange sequel had already seen Raimi putting his horror director hat back on, pushing the envelope of a Marvel film’s typical scares further by incorporating some of his trademarks that are exclusive to his horror films. The director’s return to the horror genre is anticipated. However, whether Send Help will hit the same level of gore and violence as his Evil Dead franchise is uncertain.

With the casting of McAdams and O’Brien, who have both been in thriller films instead of outright horror movies, there’s a strong possibility that Send Help might incorporate more thriller elements than horror. On the other hand, the premise of a stranded island survival horror movie promises that there’s a high chance that there will be plenty of action and violence in the film. It’d be very interesting for McAdams and O’Brien to get their hands dirty in a Sam Raimi horror movie, making this project an exciting prospect.

Source: Deadline