Companion (2025)
I’ve seen a lot of hype for COMPANION, and boy does it deliver. Contemporary horror at its finest, as it paints a picture of modern relationships, the trappings of man, and what having power can do to unjust people. Elevated by a wired performance from horror girl Sophie Thatcher and on-the-nose yet effective directing from Drew Hancock, the messaging “Companion” brings is vastly needed in today’s society, which seems more apathetic than ever.
Sophie Thatcher once again delivers an A-grade lead performance as Iris, the titular “companion” of the film. She brings naivety to the film as her character slowly starts to awaken to the real world and what her role was to society, ultimately becoming an independent and capable being. Despite his character’s attitude is very much in the wrong, Jack Quaid plays Josh with a certain punchability, invoking the flawed “nice guy” attitude to a tee. His insecurities and selfishness make him a perfect antagonist for this low-scale conflict.
In what is very much dynamic writing, “Companion” manages to drill in points such as egotism, manipulation, and codependency that are all centered around a toxic man’s relationship with his “companion” android. Taking place mainly on a lakeside retreat, the conversational tone and nativity that is adopted in the first act are quickly discarded for a more sinister and nightmarish outlook on relationships. While a bit plain and to the point at times, the dialogue is simultaneously comedic and distressing. Jack Quaid’s incel-like monologue is a notable highlight, a scene so raw and thematically real that it feels naturally antagonistic. Despite being silted and robotic in the beginning, Iris’s writing manages to provide room for character growth, resulting in a bold and humanist character by the climax. With this, “Companion” isn’t so much a traditional horror film, but rather a psychological one that reflects real problems in today’s society.
There was initially confusion when it came to WB/New Line’s marketing of “Companion,” in large part to the studio’s decision to not release proper material till earlier this year. In October, a teaser trailer for this dropped that made the film look more like a tense, mysterious odyssey painted with a horror lens. Fast forward to this month where we now know what “Companion” is truly offering, and it’s a shame that opening weekend was softer than expected with a $9.5M+ bow. Of course, putting this in January doesn’t help, especially when the following weeks are bookended with titles like HEART EYES (February 7th) and THE MONKEY (February 21st) that aim to attract horror audiences as well. There’s always a time and a place for some quality thriller fare, but this could’ve potentially been a bigger deal if placed in a more prime position on the theatrical calendar.
Overall, Companion is a smart, cunning, and depressing take on a deeply felt issue that also serves as a fantastic contained thriller flick, making audiences witness the harshness of ego, corruption, and ideology. The first film of the year to *wow* me, and a easy contender for an early 2025 “best of” list.
8.5/10 🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿
Where to Watch: In Theaters
