Note: Spoilers for “Send Help” ahead
Resilient and hardworking yet underappreciated in her firm, Linda Liddle (Rachel McAdams) storms into her new CEO’s executive suite only to be turned down. She leaves the office, trying to mask her tears. One thing is certain, though: Linda must become her own boss.
Sam Raimi’s latest installment, “Send Help,” bridges the gap between Regina George’s glittery arrogance and corporate castaway Linda Liddle. These two vigorous women still navigate a jungle of their own. Whereas Regina George’s toxicity has always dominated the North Shore halls, though, Linda Liddle descends to her level from an initially composed persona. Rachel McAdams’ slow-burning intensity mirrors her Queen B counterpart with unbridled savagery. Regina George is notorious for dominating the North Valley hallways, but how does Liddle seize control when starved for survival?
Rachel McAdams portrays a struggling divorcee tied to a subservient position in Strategies and Planning. Often neglected by coworkers, including loutish CEOs, Linda is a firecracker ready to blow. Despite shouldering most of the firm’s heavy lifting, her name garners ‘Liddle’ to no respect. However, “Send Help” intentionally subverts the sharp intellect that underscores her survivalism in the second half. McAdams doesn’t present herself with George’s assertive flair but gradually fits into that role. Her disheveled clothing and lackluster hygiene might repel attention in the workplace.
But a blundering aesthetic doesn’t misplace an ambitious women ready to wreak havoc. She still carries the same energy as her younger, more presentable counterpart. Liddle’s misfortune also takes a sudden departure after crashing onto unknown shores. Is it terrifying? Sure. There isn’t much handholding on a secluded island where resources must be individually looked for. The accident, however, also marks a founding moment for the overwhelmed, and often overlooked, employee.
McAdams isn’t in the office anymore, and CEO Bradley Preston, successor to his father, must reckon with these unconventional circumstances. Despite being granted the title of boss, he hasn’t sculpted himself as the leader. With nobody to hand him a silver platter, Preston must appeal to an unsuspected colleague with a few tricks up her sleeves. Linda actively maps out the framework for their survival. Much like Regina George hawking over her peers, however, Liddle keeps a close eye on Bradley. She scouts every corner of the jungle while vigilantly supervising her timid associate. His body can easily slip into a washed‑up carcass on the shore. Linda scavenges for nourishment and refreshments only to prevent Bradley from dying.
A Mean Girl wouldn’t spare time for anyone’s safety. Regina George could and would have lodged a knife into Bradley’s rotting corpse for meat. Linda Liddle instead sacrifices a wild pig to sustain him. Eventually, she spurs into madness after noticing search parties on the premises. Bradley Preston was a dead man walking from the start. He hadn’t realized that underestimating her benevolence would lead to his demise. McAdams’ career trajectory in the 2000s was that of an Instagram filter: She portrayed endearing leads with magnetic appearances that fit the big screen. “Send Help” captures her in a more literal frame; only Liddle doesn’t accept this fate. The queen steps back into the limelight throne, championing an “every girl” persona.
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