Relationship Woes Meet Modern Horrors in Twisty Thriller Companion (2025)
Title: Companion
First Non-Festival Release: January 28, 2025 (Theatrical Release)
Director: Drew Hancock
Writer: Drew Hancock
Runtime: 97 Minutes
Starring: Sophie Tatcher, Jack Quaid, Lukas Gage
Where to Watch: Check out where to find it here
Emerging technology has driven innovation in a variety of sectors. While public sentiment varies from scary to exciting depending on the product, it’s impossible to deny that the rapid acceleration of technology has made the last few decades dizzying to navigate. Nothing has felt more jarring than the space in which modern dating has been influenced by science and business.
This is the world of Iris (Sophie Thatcher). Along for the ride with her boyfriend Josh (Jack Quaid), Iris is expecting a relaxing yet awkward weekend getaway with Josh’s friends at a cabin in the woods. When they arrive, they discover Josh’s friend Kat (Megan Suri) is dating a Russian billionaire (Rupert Friend). Along with Eli (Harvey Guillèn) and his boyfriend Patrick (Lukas Gage), the crew’s fun weekend turns to terror when a violent encounter leads to chaos.
Smart, sleek, and hilarious, Companion balances striking social commentary with genre flair.
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Its simple setup betrays the twisty and well-crafted tale behind Companion. It’s clear something is off as soon as Iris enters the cabin. Between Kat’s iciness and Josh’s uncharacteristic distance, Iris shrugs it off as a test for her to show how dedicated of a girlfriend she can be. The audience knows that something is up thanks to the obvious marketing campaign, but even more questions come up raising the stakes of Companion even higher. It’s clear Iris has a role to play this weekend, and it isn’t just about being the perfect girlfriend. Companion drops several reveals that not only feel earned but add layers to the weekend getaway’s purpose.
Companion revels in its take down of unremarkable tech bros and the deep-seated misogyny that lies in wait in every “nice guy” who can’t seem to reach the success he “deserves”. Josh wants a world he has done nothing to earn. Without putting any real work into himself, he finds it unacceptable that he has not reached success. Be it financially, professionally, romantically, he is a loser. Throughout Companion, Josh’s gradual breakdown of self-assured everyman into deranged control freak potentiates just how sad these people are when their worlds fall apart.
Beyond Josh’s inadequacies, his disposable attitude towards women leads him to making more mistakes in his desperate attempts to clean up his mess. With Josh’s plan to fully implicate Iris in a murder he orchestrated so he can run off with millions of dollars, his many attempts to silence and sedate Iris reflect his true feelings towards women. Unable to find a human partner, the only way he is able to find companionship is by purchasing a sex robot and programming it to be hopelessly in love with him to the point of murder. Only a guy truly pathetic would need to do that. Casting aside Iris the moment things get tough; Josh cannot separate his callousness from a robot he literally programmed to the specifications of his ideal partner. What does this say about his feelings for real women?
Iris’s awakening to her awful relationship drives her on a mission of agency and self-actualization offering a beautiful foil to Josh’s insatiable need for control. It’s no coincidence that Josh has the ability to turn Iris on and off by compelling her to go to sleep. Once Iris has jailbroken her settings, she is free to make decisions on her own, and while Josh still has an emotional hold on her, she is physically able to work outside of her pre-set parameters. While evading capture, Iris explodes the possibilities of what life looks like without her programming tying her to Josh. Iris’s arc demonstrates how freeing yourself from centering men, or relationships as a whole, is necessary for personal growth.
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Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid have impeccable chemistry driving the film’s underlying comedic, and at times, romantic heart. Thatcher is a force throughout Companion, allowing Iris to shine in moments of strength, wit, and vulnerability while staying true to her nature. Quaid handles Josh’s nice guy revealed to be a jerk routine with flair, as per usual. Their individual performances are great enough, but their work together makes Companion shine more. The love and fondness is evident in the beginning, and sprinkled in throughout the second and third acts, while the resentment and frustration explode in the remaining film. From their venomous banter to their various confrontations, Thatcher and Quaid bring their A-game to the project.
Equal parts tense, thought-provoking, and hilarious, Companion balances its many elements with finesse. A smart script, lively performances, and a sleek look make it an easy recommendation to anyone with sci-fi horror proclivities. What really makes Companion a must-see is its eager repudiation of a certain kind of man who believes, and always will believe, he is the hero of his and everyone else’s story, while uplifting women in a non-infantilizing way. If you’re looking to spice up date night, why not put on this sci-fi horror comedy with a splash of romance this Valentine’s Day season?
Overall Score? 8/10
