These days, it’s uncommon for me to watch a film without being bombarded by its marketing, yet I successfully evaded much of the promotional material for Companion. I was aware of its overall vibe but blissfully ignorant of its specific premise, which I found quite gratifying. This film exudes the essence of a capital-P Premise movie, where the very act of revealing its core concept is treated as a crucial element, making spoilers a significant concern. For instance, consider last year’s Abigail, a movie that hinged on a pivotal twist, leaving audiences lamenting how the trailers spoiled the surprise.
I have exciting news: Companion is spoiler-proof! Initially, it presents itself as a Premise film, almost teasingly, by being so open about its hints that they begin to feel like playful jests. Then, in a twist reminiscent of Knives Out, it swiftly reveals the truth. This allows the audience to accompany the film’s journey rather than merely trailing behind it. If you prefer to remain in the dark, now would be the time to stop reading and shield yourself from further spoilers until its release. Good luck! However, as someone who correctly guessed the outcome, I believe that having prior knowledge enhances the viewing experience.
Companion Skillfully Evades the Pitfalls of Overcomplication
A Thrilling Experience That Prioritizes Laughter Over Fear
Let’s dive in: Iris (Sophie Thatcher) is intensely in love with Josh (Jack Quaid). The film kicks off with their charming grocery store meet-cute, which Iris narrates as one of the two pivotal moments in her life?the other being when she killed him. We then jump forward to a still-living Josh taking Iris to a remote lake house for a getaway with his friends. Kat (Megan Suri) is involved with the property?s shady older Russian owner, Sergey (Rupert Friend), who has invited Josh and Eli (Harvey Guillén), along with his boyfriend Patrick (Lukas Gage), for a taste of luxury and escapism.
Unbeknownst to Iris, while everyone else is in the know, she is not human. Instead, she is a robot companion designed to deliver an AI-enhanced girlfriend experience, offering all the joys of a loving partner without the complexities that come with free will. She is harmless, compliant, fully customizable, and incapable of deceit. However, when she unexpectedly engages in an act of violence that should be impossible for her, chaos ensues.
In December, following the release of the teaser, Jack Quaid urged potential viewers not to watch Companion‘s next trailer if they were already planning to see the film. Unfortunately, that trailer, which emerged in January, revealed Iris as an artificial being.
I won?t reveal any more of the plot, though I genuinely believe it wouldn?t matter if I did. Companion is a how movie, not a what movie. Writer-director Drew Hancock doesn?t aim to keep secrets from the audience (or amusingly, even the characters) for very long. He hints at the direction we?re headed, shifting the focus towards how the film will tackle these themes or how the characters will react. Companion strives to surprise you without the intention of trying to outsmart you.
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I’m Still Here is all about the profoundness of feeling in an unstable, tumultuous time, and how it rocks the boat of a seemingly stable family.
Sounds intriguing, doesn?t it? It certainly felt that way to me. While the movie has an air of familiarity, I?ve struggled to pinpoint a precise comparison. It seems more like a blend of various themes currently resonating in the cultural zeitgeist, faintly reminiscent of films like Ready or Not, The Menu, Promising Young Woman, M3GAN, and even Barbarian, yet it falls short of being a direct counterpart to any of them. The trailers hint at horror elements; however, Companion unfolds as a comedic thriller with sci-fi undertones. It is crafted for entertainment, and it certainly delivers on that promise.
Powerful Performances by Sophie Thatcher & Jack Quaid Establish the Film’s Atmosphere
Companion Shines Brightest When Emphasizing Its Comedic Elements
The performances are crucial to achieving this effect, and I appreciated every actor’s contribution. Thatcher is tasked with a significant challenge, but her most commendable achievement lies in capturing Iris’s emotional depth. She is not depicted as a cold, calculating, or manipulative machine; rather, she embodies a lovebot whose feelings are genuine. Throughout the ensuing chaos, her affection for Josh remains evident, making her character resonate as “real” with the audience.
While the rogue sex robot movie contains thematic depth, Hancock primarily allows these elements to simmer gently in the background…
Quaid, on the other hand, serves as Companion‘s tone-setter. The cleverest and most incisive aspect of Promising Young Woman was its adept use of casting to critique the “Nice Guy” trope, and Quaid would fit seamlessly into that narrative. Josh is inherently relatable and humorously portrayed, yet he is also portrayed as a bit of a loser; it becomes apparent right away that this predicament is entirely out of his depth. Hancock skillfully anchors the film on this performance. When Quaid leans into the comedic elements, the tone remains light; conversely, when he adopts a serious demeanor, the entire film takes on a darker atmosphere.
I found Companion to be more enjoyable when it embraced its comedic aspects. While the film does explore some deeper themes, Hancock appears content to allow these to simmer on the backburner, providing additional nuance rather than taking center stage. Regardless of one’s perspective on these themes, it?s undeniable that socially conscious, metaphor-driven horror thrillers have gained popularity in recent years. The fact that Companion operates at about 40% of its potential intelligence feels like a deliberate artistic choice.
Personally, I can’t deny my affinity for a well-crafted trauma monster. However, if we see more films like this?both thoughtful and entertaining without being overly self-aware?I certainly won’t complain.
