Chicks in the Office – RACHEL MCADAMS & DYLAN O'BRIEN INTERVIEW
Date: January 28, 2026
Hosts: Rhea & Fran (Barstool Sports)
Guests: Rachel McAdams & Dylan O'Brien
Episode Focus: In-depth conversation with Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien about their new film Send Help, insights into their personal and careers, pop culture news, and fun, candid moments.
Episode Overview
This episode of Chicks in the Office is anchored by an extended, laughter-filled interview with Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien, the stars of the upcoming horror-comedy Send Help. Rhea and Fran dive into the film’s unique genre-mix, behind-the-scenes moments, industry reflections, and share plenty of personal stories with their guests. Additional segments dissect news around the fashion industry, breaking celebrity relationships, and Hollywood’s evolving narratives.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Nervous Anticipation and Relatability [03:25–05:54]
- Rhea admits to being exceptionally nervous before meeting Rachel McAdams, her lifelong acting role model.
- Both hosts and guests revealed mutual awkwardness at a recent party, making the atmosphere immediately more relaxed and relatable.
- Fran: “It felt more like a conversation than an interview, which I always think is so much fun.” [02:56]
2. About the Film: Send Help [42:00–49:05]
- Plot & Performances: Send Help is a horror-comedy about plane crash survivors with a wild, genre-blending storyline.
- On Set Dynamics: Rachel and Dylan discuss maintaining empathy for their characters, the emotional rollercoaster viewers will experience, and how audience reactions in screenings affected their perspective on what “works.”
- Dylan: “When we were on set, we would have these debates... They all really hated Bradley... I’d be like, okay, hang on, hang on, he’s got some points!” [47:00]
- Rachel: “It did feel like it could hold a lot of different feelings and contradictory emotions... I love the experiment of how far can we push the audience.” [46:03]
3. Filming Abroad – Sydney & Thailand [53:28–57:12]
- Filming split between Sydney and Thailand, with unique challenges like continuity (tracking armpit hair, sunburn, etc.), and shooting surreal scenes out of order.
- Funny BTS: Rachel recounts being reassured about “cuddly jellyfish” while filming night ocean scenes.
- Rachel: “They were like, ‘They’re super cuddly, they kind of like to be tickled.’ I was like, what?” [58:23]
4. Chemistry and Casting [50:13–52:45]
- Rachel was enthusiastic about Dylan as her co-star, having been a fan “from the minute I saw you”; Dylan describes working on the project as a “unicorn job” and gushes over their dynamic.
- Dylan: “It was a dream. Like, I couldn’t believe that I even had the opportunity to do it.” [52:01]
5. Navigating Fame – Rachel’s Walk of Fame Star [59:32–61:16]
- Rachel’s response to her Hollywood Walk of Fame star: “It’s nothing I could have ever imagined... I keep saying I’m gonna have to go back to the star to be like, did that really happen?” [59:52]
- The process of picking someone to speak at the ceremony sparked humor and humility.
- Dylan: “When they told me about the ceremony, I was like, she’s not on the Walk of Fame yet?” [60:44]
- Rachel: “I don’t want to ask anyone to have to do that.” [62:27]
6. Career Reflections & Iconic Roles [66:36–69:35]
- Rachel and the hosts discuss the near-simultaneous release of Mean Girls and The Notebook and their lasting cultural impact.
- Rachel: “Timing’s such a crazy thing... They just happened to be such different roles in such different movies.” [67:09]
- She auditioned for Lindsay Lohan’s role in Mean Girls, but was deemed “too old” (she was 25 at the time).
7. Dylan O’Brien’s Pop Culture Moments [70:24–73:39]
- Dylan discusses guest-starring as himself in Curb Your Enthusiasm: the experience was mostly ad-libbed, and he did a Zoom audition with Larry David—recorded it (but accidentally muted).
- Reflects on Larry David’s grounded, supportive atmosphere and comedic genius.
8. Personal Favorite Films & Mutual Admiration [81:08–85:00]
- Both guests share their favorite films of each other's careers, with Dylan professing enduring love for Hot Chick, and Rachel recalling Dylan’s lesser-seen work in Cattle Lake and more recent acclaim for Twinless.
- Dylan: “I was 13 and I just... I was like, this person’s gonna be a star... I’ve seen every movie you’ve ever done.” [83:20]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- "*You hope that you click and then the conversation flows... And it felt like it did." – Fran [02:56]
- "I was genuinely freaking the fck out before this interview in a way that I had never done before.*" – Rhea [03:25]
- "We wanted to confuse the audience, you know." – Dylan O'Brien on Send Help [47:00]
- "It's more fun to watch yourself as a zombie on the beach!" – Dylan O'Brien, on dying on screen [44:46]
- "I have done... Well, I have not done a good job then." – Rachel McAdams, flattered by Dylan O'Brien’s praise [51:19]
- "Rachel’s genuinely been one of my favorite actors for so long." – Dylan O'Brien [52:01]
- "It’s nothing I could have ever imagined in my wildest dreams." – Rachel McAdams, on her Hollywood star [59:52]
Other Pop Culture News & Discussion
America’s Next Top Model Documentary [23:55–30:16]
- Fran & Rhea react to the announcement of a documentary exposing the problematic aspects of the original series—reflect on the show’s impact on young viewers and how it lost touch with “human decency” in the pursuit of entertainment.
- Rhea: “Thinking about all the subliminal messaging that enters your brain as a young girl watching this show...” [26:27]
- Tyra Banks will break her silence about how the show spiraled.
Sydney Sweeney’s Lingerie Launch [30:17–35:47]
- Hosts criticize the fake-controversial marketing (“drama” over Hollywood sign stunt), discuss Sweeney’s polarizing image among women, and skepticism on who her lingerie brand “Siren” is marketed toward.
- Fran: “I don’t get all that [body positivity] from her most of the time.” [35:26]
Bella Hadid’s Break-Up [36:35–40:22]
- Quick take on Bella splitting with her “cowboy” boyfriend after two years—hosts are oddly invested in their horse-girl lifestyle and wonder who gets custody of their million-dollar horses.
Concert Hype & Ticket Frustrations [09:24–18:54]
- Rhea, Fran, and team snag tickets to Harry Styles & Shania Twain at Wembley. Detailed discussion about concert ticket prices, how costs have skyrocketed, and industry changes blamed on management and legislation.
- Fran: “That $800, $900 VIP ticket that used to get you a meet-and-greet now gets you a tote bag and a lanyard.” [13:17]
Hilary Duff Concert Excitement [18:46–20:54]
- Fran shares excited anticipation for seeing Hilary Duff in concert, calling her a “millennial icon,” despite her “question-mark” dancing.
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Rhea admits nerves, party story: 03:25–05:54
- Movie review & Send Help discussion: 06:38–09:16
- Ticketing & concert segment: 09:24–18:54
- America’s Next Top Model documentary: 23:55–30:16
- Sydney Sweeney marketing & lingerie: 30:17–35:47
- Bella Hadid break-up: 36:35–40:22
- Rachel & Dylan FULL INTERVIEW begins: 41:57
- On Send Help, character debate: 44:03–48:58
- Behind the scenes, filming abroad: 53:28–57:12
- Rachel’s Walk of Fame star: 59:32–61:16
- Iconic early career roles: 66:36–69:35
- Dylan’s Curb Your Enthusiasm story: 70:24–73:39
- Mutual admiration & favorite films: 81:08–85:00
Tone & Style
- Conversational, candid, and comedic
- Lots of mutual admiration, self-deprecating humor, “fangirling,” and inside jokes
Summary Takeaway
This episode is a celebration of pop culture’s current moment, highlighting the joy and complexity of collaboration in Hollywood. The open, genuine conversation between Rachel McAdams, Dylan O’Brien, and the Chicks in the Office crew offers a rare, unscripted view into the lives behind two of the industry’s most beloved actors. Steeped in laughs and nostalgia—and peppered with hot takes on the latest entertainment news—it’s a must-listen for fans of rom-coms, horror, and the evolving entertainment landscape alike.
Must-Listen If:
You’re a fan of Rachel McAdams or Dylan O’Brien, are curious about Send Help, or you crave smart, funny, and insightful celebrity interviews mixed with on-the-nose pop culture commentary.