Sam Raimi believes Rachel McAdams was “underutilized” in his 2022 Marvel film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
When discussing their collaboration on Send Help, Raimi’s survival thriller that stars The Notebook actress alongside Dylan O’Brien, the director recently told Total Film he “promised” himself he would work with McAdams again following their time collaborating on the Doctor Strange sequel. In fact, Raimi noted that he thought she wasn’t utilized to her full potential in the latter film.
“First, she was the perfect person because she’s such a brilliant actress,” he said of McAdams starring in Send Help. “I had a chance to work with her on my last film and saw how talented she was and actually underutilized. And I promised myself that I would work with her again. And then this film came up, and her warmth is wonderful.”
McAdams portrayed Dr. Christine Palmer in Multiverse of Madness, Stephen Strange’s (Benedict Cumberbatch) former girlfriend. The Spider-Man director added that McAdams playing a “dark, terrible villain” in Send Help “really sets the audience up to be surprised” because it differs from roles she’s played in the past.
“And because the movie’s focus is not a whodunnit, but what comes next, that’s what really the movie wants to do to the audience,” Raimi continued. “They don’t know what’s right around the corner; it turns left when they think it’s gonna turn right. That was an important factor, that she, this good person that we know and love, becomes this terrible villain.”
The Hollywood Reporter pointed out contrast this in its Send Help review, as Frank Scheck wrote, “In the past, McAdams has proved equally fine at romantic comedy and serious drama, but this role stretches her in ways she’s never handled before. She’s fully up to the challenge, making Linda’s transformation from meek dweeb to badass survivalist fully convincing and enormous fun to watch.”
Raimi previously raved about McAdams’ role in the film at its Los Angeles premiere in January, telling THR that “Rachel was a great choice [for the part] because she’s never gone [this dark] before and she really knows how to, and yet she can do comedy brilliantly.”
“There’s a very tough woman there who usually just shows off her beauty, her great skills as an actress, her feminine side, but not the monster within,” he continued. “And fortunately, all actors and actresses have monsters within them to bring out; I know from personal experience.”
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