When two business colleagues become stranded on a deserted island as the only survivors of a plane crash, they must overcome past grievances and work together to stay alive. But they’re not in the office anymore, and an unsettling, wryly humorous battle of wills and wits begins in this original, darkly comedic psychological thriller.

For in-depth thoughts on Send Help, please see my colleague Joshua Mbonu’s review from its original theatrical release here.

Video Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray of Send Help offers a pleasing uptick in quality over the already exceptional accompanying Blu-Ray. This release is the rare experiment from 20th Century Studios where they are not offering a standalone Blu-Ray release with this title, so the only options are a 4K UHD + Blu-Ray combo pack or a DVD. With the gorgeous locale of the deserted island on full display, you are grateful to have Dolby Vision/HDR to find the nuance within each space and present it to its purest effect. The HDR enriches every color in a way that a lesser format cannot replicate. Skin tones appear more natural with impeccable detail apparent on faces, including a collection of scrapes and grime that grows throughout, and memorable makeup presented with the utmost clarity.

With this increased resolution, fine detail in the landscapes, clothing, and production design is more refined than ever. The sequences in the film taking place at night or in shadows are more distinct and three-dimensional thanks to deep black levels. Audiences will delight in the intricacies otherwise swallowed up in darkness. The highlights in the film are also more crisply defined with white levels pure and balanced with no instances of blooming to be found even under the bright sunlight. This 4K UHD presentation is a stunner with gains in every conceivable category. Disney and 20th Century Studios know that physical media fans demand 4K UHD releases, and this one delivers on all fronts.

Audio Quality

This disc comes armed with a Dolby Atmos presentation that springs to life in the way you expect from a Sam Raimi movie. From the earliest moments to the bitter end, this track rarely lets up. This track digs deep and more than gets the job done. The cutting dialogue is presented perfectly clear without ever being drowned out by any of the competing sonic elements. The score from Danny Elfman is a very important part of the film’s tone, and it permeates the room with great vigor.

Environmental details are thoughtfully dispersed in the rear and overhead channels to capture each new thrill. The overhead channels take on a notable amount of information, which adds a distinct sense of space to this twisted tale. Sounds are appropriately rendered with pinpoint directionality from the copious amounts of kinetic scenes to interpersonal moments of dialogue. No one should have any complaints about this ride. Optional English SDH, French, Spanish, and an array of other subtitles are provided.

Special Features

Audio Commentary: Director Sam Raimi and producer Zainab Azizi provide a really informative commentary track in which they discuss the production of the film in depth including the shooting locations, the improvisation on set, the qualities of the performances, interesting facets of the production design, the themes of the story, the enhancements of the visual effects, and much more that makes you appreciate the film even more.
Deleted/Extended Scenes: This release is loaded with unused footage, as we have 78 minutes of new and extended scenes that are fun to watch, even if you can understand why they may have been cut for pacing reasons.
Send Bloopers: A nearly seven-minute collection of flubbed lines, ruined takes, malfunctioning props, and more.
Constructing the Boar Hunt: A six-minute look at the creation of one of the most memorable scenes in the film through creative practical and visual effects.
From the Office to the Island: A nearly seven-minute overview of the shift that happened when the production moved from the comfort of an enclosed set to the unpredictable experience of filming on a beach.
Becoming Linda Liddle: A three-minute featurette that looks at all of the elements that went into creating our lead character including the makeup and hair team, the costume designers, and the unforgettable performance from Rachel McAdams.
Survival Instinct: A three-minute glimpse at the skills imparted to the performers by a real-life survivalist expert.
SOS – Sounds of Survival: A four-minute exploration of the creation of the score with Danny Elfman.

Final Thoughts

Send Help is Sam Raimi’s first chance to go full-tilt into sicko mode in far too long, and he gleefully takes advantage of it. The movie may start out with a more measured pace, but it is all in service of building up to a second half that will have your jaw on the floor on multiple occasions. Dylan O’Brien continues to show that he is one of the most exciting young performers around, but it is Rachel McAdams who steals the show in a completely committed performance that demands to be seen and admired. This movie is simply a blast, and it is one that will keep drawing us back again and again in the future. 20th Century Studios and Disney Home Entertainment have released a 4K UHD Blu-Ray featuring a fantastic A/V presentation and a nice assortment of special features. If you are a lover of Sam Raimi, this is not to be missed. Recommended

Send Help is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray and DVD.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: 20th Century Studios and Disney Home Entertainment have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.