Drew Hancock’s directorial debut, Companion, is a tightly crafted sci-fi noir that blends suspense with a sharp critique of modern relationships. The film follows Iris (Sophie Thatcher – Heretic, “Yellowjackets”) and Josh (Jack Quaid – Scream, “The Boys”), whose whirlwind romance quickly evolves into what seems like a picture-perfect relationship. However, things take a darker turn when the couple retreats to a secluded mountain cabin for the weekend, joined by Josh’s friends: Kat (Megan Suri – It Lives Inside, “Never Have I Ever”), Eli (Harvey Guillén – “What We Do In The Shadows,” “Reacher”), his boyfriend Patrick (Lukas Gage – Smile 2, Road House), and the house’s owner Sergey (Rupert Friend – Jurassic World: Rebirth, “Homeland”). It’s here that we are presented with the shocking truth that Iris is a fembot, a companion robot designed to fulfill human emotional needs. While the revelation of Iris’ true nature may not come as a surprise – thanks to the film’s publicity, the way it unravels is a powerful twist in itself that buoys both the film’s suspense and its biting social commentary.
The film is anchored by standout performances, particularly from Quaid and Thatcher, whose palpable chemistry helps immerse us in the story and heightens the emotional stakes. Thatcher’s portrayal of Iris is chillingly nuanced, capturing both the human and artificial sides of her character. Quaid, meanwhile, does a great job in his role, skillfully portraying the complexities of modern dating. That said, while Quaid is undoubtedly great, his frequent casting in similar roles makes it a little harder to fully buy into his character right away. We’d love to see him take on something more contrasting, but he still brings a lot to the table here, and ultimately, it works.
Gage and Guillén also deliver standout performances, bringing much-needed humor and levity to balance the film’s darker moments. While their characters add a lot of fun to the ensemble, the reviewer feels that a bit more depth for some of the secondary characters would have rounded out the story even further—though this is more a reflection of how much I enjoyed the cast than a major criticism.
Companion delivers sharp commentary on misogyny and the rise of fembots in today’s AI-driven world. While it makes sense for the marketing to highlight its connection to the creators of Barbarian and the studio that brought you The Notebook—due to their horror and romance elements—the film shares little in common with either beyond blending romance and horror in its narrative. Hancock instead crafts a story that explores the unsettling future of AI companions in modern relationships, all while offering a thought-provoking critique of contemporary gender dynamics.
Ultimately, Companion is a stylish, suspenseful thriller that blends dark humor with sharp social commentary. Hancock has crafted a film that, while not overtly aiming to be a “think piece,” offers more depth than your typical genre fare, providing a fresh twist on both sci-fi and noir. It’s a film that invites you to question the boundaries between humanity and technology, while also offering a chilling critique of modern relationships. The concerns, anxieties, and challenges raised by our rapidly evolving AI landscape are impossible to ignore—and if this glimpse into the future is anything to go by, it’s unsettling to consider what might come next.
VERDICT:
Companion releases exclusively in theaters this January 31.
