Companion Movie Review (Spoiler Free)

A twisted tale of murder, lies, paranoia and robots. It’s a Terminator meets Lolita scenario, set in a cabin and layered with a clear sarcastic message.

Genre: Comedy / Sci-Fi / Thriller

Director: Drew Hancock

Cast: Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, Lukas Gage, Harvey Guillén, Megan Suri & Rupert Friend.

Run Time: 97 min.

US Release: 31 January 2025

UK Release: 31 January 2025

German Release: 06 February 2025

If you are releasing an intriguing sci-fi thriller with a lot of twists, the last thing you should do is reveal the biggest one in the trailer. What was the marketing team thinking? Even with that major spoiler revealed to the general public, Drew Hancock’s directorial debut managed to surprise me at every turn, being nothing like I expected. For one, it was marketed as a horror flick, which it is not, but a much deeper psychological nail-biter, with dark-comedic nuances. So, boot up your synapses, as we’ll scan through my review for Companion. 

Josh and Iris are a happy couple on a weekend getaway with friends at a remote cabin. Following the revelation that one of the guests is not who they think they are, all chaos breaks loose.

The screenplay to Companion was developed by Drew Hancock, who also serves as director in his feature-length debut. It successfully examines topics of psychological manipulation, such as exploitative narcissism, destructive relationships, especially focusing on toxic masculinity, with themes of control plus autonomy. All of this is blended into a cautionary story about evolving machinery, specifically the rise of AI, as the dangers of technological dependency are inspected, whilst inter-human connections are diminishing.

At its core, this sci-fi thriller is an allegory for women in abusive relationships. Once the component of robotics is put plainly on the table, it introduces an intriguing question: Whether it is the intelligent, learning machine we should fear, or the people who wield it - highlighting how companion androids are programmed to be harmless to humans, though most owners live out their aggressive fantasies on them. 

Inconsistencies come up as the introductory segment of the plot juxtaposes its marketing strategy. The trailers fully exposed the protagonist as a robot, yet the first twenty minutes set it up as if audiences weren’t supposed to be aware of it. It is a big revelation, destroyed by the ad campaign, which took away a major twist. That is not to say this movie doesn’t have surprises, as it comes with a dozen unexpected turns of events. 

That said, the narrative can feel uneven at times, as high-paced tension is broken up at the wrong moments with sarcastic commentary. This deflates the sense of urgency and stretches out specific key moments, even with its brisk ninety-seven-minute runtime. 

Dialogues play a large part in fleshing out characters. A prime example is Iris, who, through reflective monologing, transforms from a subservient machine to a strong, independent personality. Opposing this is her boyfriend Josh, as the further the plot progresses, the more deceiving his speeches become.

Characterisation is the weakest aspect of this little flick, as the most developed personas are the two main protagonists. All others serve a purpose, but are underwritten. That said, all of them are, at some level, emotionally approachable, specifically Iris. 

Sophie Thatcher is the standout of the film, giving a brilliant performance as Iris, an emotional companion android. Thatcher is immensely likeable, managing to display the different emotional layers perfectly, as her role discovers a new sense of independence, while she progressively learns more about herself. Her growing strength, as well as self-reliance, are further attributes that make her so relatable.

Jack Quaid is deliciously deceptive as the insecure narcissist Josh, who blames the world plus everyone in it for his unhappiness, instead of trying to grow. Quaid plays the character with a well-balanced threatening charm, as his persona truly believes he is the victim, blind to his own manipulative & egocentric nature, making him such a great villain.

The love story between Eli and Patrick, played by Harvey Guillén as well as Lukas Gage, respectively, isn’t properly investigated, yet serves as a contrast to the main couple; it is innocently sweet.

Cinematographer Eli Born manages to reflect the blended genres into a stunning visual spectacle. Using subtle movements, intimate framing, just like natural lighting, plus a smooth composition. The colour palette used is cold, which, in combination with the lighting, camera movement, as well as keen application of shadows, gives the picture a creepy atmosphere. The use of angles and change of focus are used as optical metaphors for the protagonist’s awakening.

Given its restricted budget, Drew Hancock smartly objected to using CGI, in favour of more grounded practical effects. The low-key prosthetics are enhanced through minimalistic use of visual effects, underlining its futuristic notions. The sudden projections of gore come as a surprise, but are spread out in sustainable gaps.  

The music, composed by Hrishikesh Hirway, highlights the movie’s blend of genres by transitioning from a light, jazzy sound to more tension-filled, ominous motifs. The sound effects make use of natural sounds that oppose the film’s rapidly increasing tension. 

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Verdict: Drew Hancock’s directorial debut feels refreshingly different by taking familiar tropes from features such as Terminator, Lolita, or even Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder and blending them all. Though packed with unexpected turns, the biggest twist was ruined by the marketing campaign; as such, it felt weird that the first twenty minutes were told as if audiences didn’t already know that Iris is a robot. Topics such as abusive relationships or technophobia are well integrated. The pacing, on the other hand, can be a little clunky at times. Sophie Thatcher gives an extraordinary performance, while Jack Quaid plays the villain with a fun, slimy, self-centred delivery. Unfortunately, the supporting cast is underexplored. The cinematography is very intimate, while the practical effects used are subtle. This is a fun, thrill-ride for a couple's night, deserving of a 7.5  out of 10. 

So, have you seen Companion yet? It is already out on Blu-ray & streaming. Let me know if you agree with my review by leaving a comment below. If you like my posts, like, share & subscribe. Thank you very much for reading!