Rachel McAdams Shares Her Survival Skills and Wilderness Struggles in This Exclusive Insight

Rachel McAdams at the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony; 2016 with Benedict Cumberbatch in Doctor Strange.
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Lisa/AFF-USA/Shutterstock; Everett

NEED TO KNOW

• Rachel McAdams, who stars in the new survival thriller Send Help, reveals to PEOPLE that she’s had “fantasies of being a survivalist.”
• “But in actuality, I would last an hour,” she jokes.
• Send Help, directed by Sam Raimi, is set to hit theaters on Friday.

Rachel McAdams recently shared insights into her new film, Send Help, and her imaginative survivalist fantasies, in an interview with PEOPLE.

Reflecting on her childhood, McAdams remarked, “I have fantasies of being a survivalist. Even as a kid, I would always be like, ‘What if I got dropped off in the woods and then I couldn’t find my way back, how would I survive?’ So I always liked to spend time in that fantasy, but in actuality, I would last an hour.”

Despite her humorous admission, McAdams, a mother of two, emphasizes her adaptability. “I do think I’m pretty adaptable,” the 47-year-old actress noted, especially as she recently received a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.

In discussing her experiences in acting, McAdams said, “I think the life of an actor has made me kind of hearty. I can kind of just pack a suitcase in 20 minutes and go somewhere I’ve never been before and just find my way. I really do like an adventure.”

Dylan O’Brien and Rachel McAdams in “Send Help.”

Brook Rushton/20th Century Studios

In Send Help, McAdams portrays Linda Liddle, described as a timid employee who struggles to showcase her talents. After a plane crash leaves her stranded on a deserted island with her demanding boss, she embarks on a harrowing journey. “Never gets a shot at showing what she’s worth,” McAdams emphasized regarding her character.

Delving into the survival thriller genre, McAdams expressed excitement about reuniting with director Sam Raimi, who previously directed her in 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. “I’ve never quite done this genre,” she shared. “I felt like I got just a taste of him in Doctor Strange because I was playing a more supporting character. So, I was just really excited to dive into something like this with him that was such a big challenge, such a juicy character.”

Rachel McAdams poses with her star during the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on January 20.

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

As Send Help arrives with a commendable 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film presents a bold chapter in McAdams’ career, who first gained attention in the iconic films Mean Girls and The Notebook in 2004. Her versatility spans leading roles and memorable supporting parts in various genres, including an Oscar-nominated performance for her role in Spotlight.

Reflecting on her career’s longevity, McAdams stated, “I feel really lucky to still be here. I’m still pinching myself.”

In addition to her acting skills, McAdams revealed a practical talent gained from her time on Doctor Strange: “I did get to learn how to do stitches… It became like knitting,” she explained, highlighting an unexpected preparation for any real-life challenges.