Sam Raimi Admits He’s A Squeamish ‘Coward Bully’ After Years Of Covering Actors In Blood

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As a huge Sam Raimi fan, I’ve always known him as a master of horror – seriously, some of his films are the best out there! He’s not afraid to get really graphic when the story calls for it, and I always figured he loved those super bloody scenes. But I was surprised to hear him recently tell TopMob that even he gets a little squeamish when things get messy! It’s funny to think the guy who directs all that gore isn’t totally immune to it himself.

Sam Raimi’s upcoming 2026 film, Send Help, promises plenty of thrills and spills – and a lot of fake blood! Starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien, the movie follows two coworkers struggling to survive, both physically and mentally, after being marooned on a deserted island. Early glimpses of the film show the actors covered in blood, and when asked if the gore ever bothered him, Raimi gave a fantastic response (along with producer Zainab Azizi).

I react by trying to intimidate others because I’m secretly afraid of the things that bother me. It’s a cowardly way of dealing with my own fears – I try to scare people instead of facing my problems myself. That’s really the core of it.

Okay, I’ll admit, I was surprised to hear Sam Raimi refer to himself as a “coward bully.” It’s genuinely amusing to learn that one of the most legendary horror directors out there is, at heart, a bit of a scaredy-cat! The irony isn’t lost on me, considering how much over-the-top gore and blood his Evil Dead movies are famous for. But honestly, I found this admission really endearing. It gives you a different perspective on the man behind the scares, and he even shared his thoughts on what it feels like to terrify audiences with his films.

It’s incredibly satisfying when the audience reacts to a jump scare. I love thinking, ‘Okay, now they’ll be frightened, now they’ll really get caught up in the moment!’ But then subverting that expectation and delivering the scare anyway is even better. Building those suspenseful scenes with the cast and crew is a lot of fun, and it’s rewarding to see them play out and then refine them. And having a talented editor like Bob Murawski? He can practically make any scene work.

More on Send Help

Why Sam Raimi’s Send Help Sounds Like A True Throwback To His Evil Dead Era

Sam Raimi is a master of horror, consistently delivering shocking and thrilling experiences for audiences. Critics are already calling his latest film, Send Help, an instant classic. Raimi hadn’t directed a horror movie in over ten years, making this 2024 release a highly anticipated return. Our review highlights Send Help as a darkly funny and impressive addition to his body of work.

Sam Raimi is a versatile director, and he’s skilled at creating emotional connections with audiences without needing to rely on excessive gore. That said, intense, bloody scenes are a signature part of his style, and it’s great that he continues to deliver them for his fans, even if they sometimes bother him personally. Hopefully, we’ll see many more fantastic movies from Raimi and plenty of chances for actors to get covered in fake blood!

The new movie, Send Help, arrives in cinemas on January 30th. Also starting then, you can find several films directed by Sam Raimi available to purchase or rent online.

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2026-01-28 18:11