At no point in the thrilling 97 minutes of Companion can you possibly anticipate what is coming next. Centered around couple Iris (Sophie Thatcher) and Josh (Jack Quaid), what starts a remote weekend getaway with friends quickly devolves into an unexpected and chaotic nightmare for everyone in attendance. While the movie thrives on its frequent twists and surprises, expect lots of action, some dark humor, and a wholly unconventional romance.
Companion’s commentary on AI and its influence on human relationships feels incredibly relevant and eerie in its feasibility. Not overly complicated and expertly woven into the narrative, the use of technology is captivating for even the least tech-savvy, and its believability lends itself well to the thought-provoking nature of Companion despite its suspenseful exterior.
From a craft perspective, Companion is witty, compact, and never boring. The debut movie from director Drew Hancock excels at capturing an atmosphere equal parts calm and creepy. There is an overarching sense of unsettlement in a world that initially appears to be perfect, from Iris and Josh’s grocery store “meet-cute” to the luxurious lake house they are vacationing at. The smaller cast allows the creators to give more time and attention to the development of the characters, giving the audience the opportunity to understand each character and their relationships with each other. Sophie Thatcher, known for her roles in Yellowjackets and recently Heretic, is a particular standout as the lead and rising star in the horror genre, and the movie also offers compelling supporting performances from Jack Quaid and Megan Suri.
One point of hesitation seems to be however, for a story about a woman ultimately gaining control over herself, physically and mentally, there are very few women involved in the making of the film. While Companion appears to advertise itself to a primarily female audience, it lacks a level of input from the group that it aims to address. With two out of 15 of the producers being women and no other women in higher-up roles behind the scenes, the gender imbalance seems striking when compared to the movie’s content.
All in all, Companion is a thrillingly entertaining ride for any fans of sci-fi, horror, or dark comedy. On another level though, the film speaks to ideas of female and bodily autonomy as well as the role of technology in society today, and is worth watching for anyone–if you can handle a little blood.