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By Joana Langfield

Sam Raimi’s newest is a bloody blast.

Plunging, and it feels happily, into his horror roots, Raimi has elevated a pretty much by the numbers script into a big, fun piece of entertainment. Remember fun? While, yes, the eww factor is very much alive here (remember, this is a horror movie), the fun factor is, too. Genuine laughs pop up when we least expect them, but that’s not the only impressive treat in this most welcome surprise package.

We first meet the mousy Linda (Rachel McAdams) when she is as hyped as she can be, expecting a long-promised promotion in the corporate world she doesn’t exactly fit in. But, as the slick young Bradley takes the CEO reigns, Linda’s awkwardness outweighs her mathematical acuity. Bradley acquiesces and takes her along on a previously planned acquisition, knowing his personal bonus will be kicking her to the curb as soon as the deal is done.

But things don’t go quite as Bradley planned. Their swanky private plane crashes. And Linda and Bradley find themselves stranded on a tropical island.

You can guess what happens. Or can you? There are enough twists and turns to keep us somewhat on our toes. And it’s never not fun to watch the unappreciated (especially a socially awkward woman) turn some tables on the haughty bros. But what really makes this all work as well as it does are the two stars, Dylan O’Brien and the always wonderful McAdams.

O’Brien makes the most out of a pretty standard role, but it’s McAdams who steals the whole shebang. No spoilers, but it is remarkable how she creates fully drawn, complete characters for each stage of Linda’s trip here. If anyone thought playing Linda would be just kind of a goof, McAdams didn’t get the memo. And we are all the happier for it.