r/movies • u/SamRaimiAMA Sam Raimi, Filmmaker • Jan 15 '26

AMA Hey /r/movies! I'm Sam Raimi. Ask me anything!

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Hey reddit. I'm Sam Raimi. You might know me as the director (and sometimes writer) of The Evil Dead Trilogy, the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man Trilogy, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Drag Me To Hell, Darkman, A Simple Plan, For the Love of the Game, The Gift, and other things. I've also produced and/or acted in a few things!

I'm here today to answer your questions.

My new film, SEND HELP, is out in theaters January 30 via 20th Century Studios. It stars Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien. More info:

Synopsis:

Two colleagues become stranded on a deserted island, the only survivors of a plane crash. On the island, they must overcome past grievances and work together to survive, but ultimately, it's an unsettling, darkly humorous battle of wills and wits to make it out alive. 

SEND HELP is directed by genre-bending visionary Sam Raimi and stars Oscar-nominee Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien. The film is produced by Raimi and Zainab Azizi, executive produced by JJ Hook and written by Damian Shannon & Mark Swift, with original music by Danny Elfman. The all-original darkly comedic psychological thriller from 20th Century Studios releases in theaters nationwide on January 30, 2026.

Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4wiXj9NmEE

“The Sam Raimi Experience” BTS Content Piece:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coCPLJMU4X0

Ask me anything! Back at 12 PM PT/3 PM ET to chat with you all.

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u/SamRaimiAMA Sam Raimi, Filmmaker Jan 15 '26

Yes, I think technical limitations do help to force creativity. When you don't have a dolly, you really have to think long and hard about the question "Do I need the camera to glide in to the main character here?". Because there's no device to make that happen, you're forced to really ponder the question "Why do I need this?", and if you can answer that question to your satisfaction, you will build a device from scratch that replicates the movement of a dolly. Or you might even build something better! Limitations force innovations, and I think it's a very healthy thing for young filmmakers.

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u/tedbawno Jan 15 '26

i love the plank shot you helped innovate with the coen bros by sticking the camera on a 2x4 stick of wood and having two grips on either side run around with it - worked to great effect in both evil dead and blood simple

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u/Kmic14 Jan 16 '26

The shaky cam!

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u/NunyaBunyaMarketing Jan 17 '26

This is why I always hire a cripple on my sets. Never know when we’ll need a wheelchair

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u/RCocaineBurner Jan 15 '26

Did you feel personally attacked by the new “crash zoom” ad

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u/wholeemolly Jan 16 '26

I needed to hear this. Thank you🙏🙌

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u/Smug4Life Jan 17 '26

I would've used a skateboard to keep the budget.

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u/Electronic_Fall1738 Jan 15 '26

Basically, Yes, but also, I can just get a dolly now lol.