Episode 119: Send Help & Misery

Episode 119: Send Help & Misery

From Cinema in Context by Cinema in Context

February 25, 2026 · 52 min

About this episode

The hosts discuss the thrillers Send Help and Misery, focusing on performances and directorial styles.

Thrillers with an insidious carer at the centre. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss Send Help (2026) and Misery (1990). We begin by discussing our shared experience of watching Send Help and praising the performances of Rachel McAdams as Linda Liddle and Dylan O'Brien as Bradley Preston. Our conversation jumps between Send Help and Misery, equally praising the performances of Kathy Bates as Annie Wilkes and James Caan as Paul Sheldon. The work of Rob Reiner and Sam Raimi as directors is a key part of our enthusiasm, and we compare the films to various other movies, including: Cast Away (2000), Triangle of Sadness (2022), Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), Oz the Great and Powerful (2013), The Shining (1980), Lord of the Flies (1963), The Straight Story (1999) and Elf (2003).

People in this episode

Hosts: Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing, William Chen

Topics covered

  • thrillers
  • performances
  • directors
  • film comparison

Keywords

  • Rachel McAdams
  • Dylan O'Brien
  • Kathy Bates
  • James Caan
  • Rob Reiner
  • Sam Raimi

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Send Help, Misery, Cast Away, Triangle of Sadness, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Oz the Great and Powerful, The Shining, Lord of the Flies, The Straight Story, Elf

Books & works: Send Help & Misery, Send Help, Misery, Cast Away, Triangle of Sadness, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Oz the Great and Powerful, The Shining, Lord of the Flies, The Straight Story

More episodes of Cinema in Context

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Cinema in Context podcast page.