Send Help

3D Movie Review

Written By: Adolph Vega

3D

When Send Help started, I initially felt that the 3D wasn’t really needed and seemed fairly basic. Most of the film doesn’t feature a strong depth of field, so while it looks fine, it isn’t particularly impressive.

That said, when the 3D does support the story, it looks genuinely great. The presentation isn’t very consistent, but none of it is bad — it’s solid overall.

The plane crash sequence is a clear standout. There are some nice pop-out moments, especially with weapons breaking the screen plane. The film also features many scenes set on tall cliffs, and the added 3D depth significantly increases the tension in those moments.

I was disappointed with several rain sequences, though. In many other films, rain is used beautifully in 3D with layered depth, but here it often looks flatter than it should. It still looks good — just not as good as it could have been.

This movie would have benefited from being filmed in native 3D where possible, as many of the sets and scenes seem perfectly suited for it. There are also quite a few extremely tight close-ups, which can feel a little awkward in 3D. That said, several darkly lit scenes work surprisingly well in 3D — moments where other films often struggle, but this one manages to retain depth and clarity.

Overall, Send Help delivers a solid 3D experience, but one that clearly could — and should — have been better.

Final 3D Score: 7/10

FYI Send Help does not include a mid- or post-credits scene, but the credits feature factoids presented in a way that complements the film and its 3D presentation.

Movie

Sometimes less is more, and with Send Help, that philosophy is executed perfectly.

Somehow, this film captures the zeitgeist of 2026 — and we’re only in January. This was the first new movie I watched this year, and wow… it made an impression.

The story is grounded and straightforward. Linda works for a terrible boss, Donovan. After a plane crash strands them on a deserted tropical island, the power dynamic flips completely — and Linda finally has the upper hand. Revenge is clearly on the table.

Linda is kind, smart, and resourceful — but she’s no saint. She’s capable, yet occasionally cringey, awkward, and deeply flawed. Donovan is a spoiled nepo-baby jerk, but even he isn’t without moments of uncomfortable truth. Neither character can be fully trusted, and both evolve onscreen in compelling ways. You truly believe that they hate each other, and the movie avoids some obvious clichés.

When I first saw the trailer, I was intrigued but worried the film would be one-note. Thankfully, those fears were unfounded. The movie takes the time to develop its characters, giving us meaningful backstory and emotional complexity. The narrative chooses depth over simplicity, and the audience is rewarded with a far more intimate and engaging experience.

I loved the performances. It’s impressive how such a simple premise is expanded into something so gripping. I was never bored, and the grounded nature of the story felt refreshing. The vast majority of the movie is just two characters onscreen. The film gives us exactly what we need — nothing more, nothing less.

One of the strongest aspects of Send Help is its intensity. This is a hard R-rated film, and every bit of it feels earned. It’s a bloody good time — both literally and figuratively. The violence is necessary, the dialogue is sharp, and the execution is confidently twisted. The horror comes from deliberate human choice rather than other supernatural monsters. The film does feature a few effective jump scares and is not for the faint of heart.

There’s a very dark, cynical sense of humor throughout, and it works beautifully with what’s shown onscreen. The movie is not subtle at all, and that’s a fantastic aspect of it. The film truly feels like it was made by adults, for adults. At times, it feels like an HBO version of a Twilight Zone episode expanded into a full-length feature. The film even includes deeper thematic elements that make sense and never feel preachy.

The direction by Sam Raimi is masterful. Everything introduced is paid off. I didn’t notice any plot holes, and the film is paced tightly with no fluff or fat. Raimi knows exactly how to tease the audience in ways that enhance the story rather than distract from it. The movie feels cathartic and deeply satisfying, and that’s entirely due to the confident, precise direction.

The music and score are superb. The audio design works perfectly with the visuals, pulling you deeper into each scene. The haunting, minimalist melodies fit the tone of the film like a glove.

I honestly don’t know what else to say — this movie is simply excellent. I have no real criticisms or suggestions for improvement. The ending is perfect, and I’m genuinely impressed that 20th Century Fox had the guts to release something that feels more like an indie darling than a traditional studio film.

Send Help is an instant classic. It’s a phenomenal film, and I genuinely believe it will be studied in film schools for years to come. This is a film that won’t fade with time — it will be remembered, analyzed, and talked about throughout the year and well beyond.

This is the definition of a cinematic masterpiece and is absolutely worthy of your time.

Final Movie Score:

10/10, Editors Choice Award

Learn more about how we rate 3D content via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/3d-or-2d-ratingssystem/

Official Website: https://www.20thcenturystudios.com/movies/send-help