Synopsis
Hancock’s debut feature is a twisted, thrilling ride that cleverly balances satire and suspense—keeping viewers riveted until the final, unexpected moments.
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Companion Movie Review : A twisted, satirical take on love and AI
Critic's Rating: 3.5/5
Story: A weekend getaway turns bloody and violent when a subservient robot built for human companionship goes haywire.
Review: Companion, the deranged date-night thriller from writer-director Drew Hancock, introduces a love interest unlike any other in Hollywood. Sophie Thatcher, best known for her breakout role in Yellowjackets, plays Iris, a devoted and seemingly docile girlfriend to her manipulative partner, Josh (Jack Quaid, Peter Parker of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse). However, their relationship harbours a disturbing secret that turns a romantic getaway into a blood-soaked nightmare.
From the outset, Iris follows Josh’s lead, even when he suggests a retreat to a secluded mansion with four friends—among them, his ex-girlfriend Kat (Megan Suri) and her unnerving Russian sugar daddy Sergey (Rupert Friend), flamboyant Eli (Harvey Guillén) and his charming but dim-witted boyfriend Patrick (Lukas Gage). While Iris struggles with her insecurities around the group, the real horror unfolds when she emerges, knife in hand, her pink dress stained with blood.
(Spoiler Alert!) It turns out Iris isn’t human at all—she’s a sophisticated sex robot, programmed to prioritize her partner’s needs. Josh, having hacked her system for his own twisted ends, controls her via a smartphone app. The film discards the traditional whodunit formula, instead shifting focus to a more unsettling mystery: How does Iris, bound by her programming, evolve to the point of a killing spree?
Thatcher delivers an exceptional performance, seamlessly shifting between obedience and rebellion depending on her settings. Just as she appears to break free, Josh reasserts control, subjecting her to dehumanizing ordeals. Yet, despite her restrictions, Iris is always truthful—though, crucially, she is not programmed to harm humans.
Quaid’s casting as the seemingly harmless but deeply sinister Josh is inspired, playing off his boy-next-door image. The supporting cast leans into their roles with equal flair. The film’s violence is stark and detached, alternating between dark comedy and chilling horror, depending on the victim.
Hancock masterfully plays with viewers' expectations, leading viewers to believe they understand the story’s trajectory before pulling the rug out from under them. While Companion doesn’t dive deeply into the ethical and technological implications of AI, it succeeds in its primary goal: sheer entertainment. The film’s success hinges on its execution, and Hancock delivers with razor-sharp precision. Cinematographer Eli Born’s sleek compositions and editors Brett W. Bachman and Josh Ethier’s clever cuts heighten the film’s unsettling atmosphere, creating a story that evolves just as Iris does.
As an AI-driven narrative, Companion may not break new ground conceptually, but its execution makes it a standout. Hancock’s debut feature is a twisted, thrilling ride that cleverly balances satire and suspense—keeping viewers riveted until the final, unexpected moments.
Review: Companion, the deranged date-night thriller from writer-director Drew Hancock, introduces a love interest unlike any other in Hollywood. Sophie Thatcher, best known for her breakout role in Yellowjackets, plays Iris, a devoted and seemingly docile girlfriend to her manipulative partner, Josh (Jack Quaid, Peter Parker of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse). However, their relationship harbours a disturbing secret that turns a romantic getaway into a blood-soaked nightmare.
From the outset, Iris follows Josh’s lead, even when he suggests a retreat to a secluded mansion with four friends—among them, his ex-girlfriend Kat (Megan Suri) and her unnerving Russian sugar daddy Sergey (Rupert Friend), flamboyant Eli (Harvey Guillén) and his charming but dim-witted boyfriend Patrick (Lukas Gage). While Iris struggles with her insecurities around the group, the real horror unfolds when she emerges, knife in hand, her pink dress stained with blood.
(Spoiler Alert!) It turns out Iris isn’t human at all—she’s a sophisticated sex robot, programmed to prioritize her partner’s needs. Josh, having hacked her system for his own twisted ends, controls her via a smartphone app. The film discards the traditional whodunit formula, instead shifting focus to a more unsettling mystery: How does Iris, bound by her programming, evolve to the point of a killing spree?
Thatcher delivers an exceptional performance, seamlessly shifting between obedience and rebellion depending on her settings. Just as she appears to break free, Josh reasserts control, subjecting her to dehumanizing ordeals. Yet, despite her restrictions, Iris is always truthful—though, crucially, she is not programmed to harm humans.
Quaid’s casting as the seemingly harmless but deeply sinister Josh is inspired, playing off his boy-next-door image. The supporting cast leans into their roles with equal flair. The film’s violence is stark and detached, alternating between dark comedy and chilling horror, depending on the victim.
Hancock masterfully plays with viewers' expectations, leading viewers to believe they understand the story’s trajectory before pulling the rug out from under them. While Companion doesn’t dive deeply into the ethical and technological implications of AI, it succeeds in its primary goal: sheer entertainment. The film’s success hinges on its execution, and Hancock delivers with razor-sharp precision. Cinematographer Eli Born’s sleek compositions and editors Brett W. Bachman and Josh Ethier’s clever cuts heighten the film’s unsettling atmosphere, creating a story that evolves just as Iris does.
As an AI-driven narrative, Companion may not break new ground conceptually, but its execution makes it a standout. Hancock’s debut feature is a twisted, thrilling ride that cleverly balances satire and suspense—keeping viewers riveted until the final, unexpected moments.
In-depth Analysis
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