Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud Friday Wrap: Send Help, Kanye West's apology, and Juno nominations
Jan 30, 2026
Radheyan Simonpillai, film critic known for sharp reviews; Emilie Hanskamp, music journalist and recommender; Ashley Ray, comedian and cultural commentator. They dissect Rachel McAdams thriller Send Help and its tone. They debate Kanye West's Wall Street Journal apology and what accountability looks like. They react to the 2026 Juno nominations and highlight notable snubs and standouts.
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McAdams + Raimi: Creative Kismet
- Rachel McAdams elevates offbeat material by treating absurdity with grounded physical reality.
- Sam Raimi pairs her grounded performance with unhinged visuals to create surprising creative chemistry.
A Survival Tale About Women's Rage
- Send Help reframes a survival story as an exploration of women's rage and workplace misogyny.
- The film forces audiences to negotiate sympathy as the protagonist escalates beyond expected norms.
Seek Out Original Big-Budget Films
- Expect original, well-budgeted films to act like rare events in today's franchise-driven landscape.
- Value these releases as cultural miracles and seek them out outside typical awards seasons.