Companion
Directed by Drew Hancock
★★★★
Companion is a sleek, unnerving sci-fi thriller that wears its themes on its sleeve while keeping its audience off balance from start to finish. With an ensemble cast led by Yellowjackets breakout Sophie Thatcher and Oscar winner Jack Quaid, the film unfolds like a high-tech morality play dressed as a cabin-in-the-woods mystery.
Set at a modern lakeside estate where a group of old friends reunites for a relaxing weekend, the story begins with casual banter, familiar dynamics, and hints of old tension. But the atmosphere shifts quickly when Iris, a soft-spoken and seemingly perfect new girlfriend introduced by one of the guests, becomes the focus of suspicion. Iris is not who—or what—she seems to be, and the truth behind her presence is far more disturbing than the group ever imagined.
Sophie Thatcher’s portrayal teeters between synthetic and soulful in a way that keeps the viewer constantly questioning where the line is between program and person. Jack Quaid brings a surprising edge to his role as Josh, a man whose charm quickly gives way to control and insecurity. The tension between them—once romantic, now toxic—serves as the film’s emotional engine.
Surrounding them is a strong supporting cast, including Lukas Gage, Megan Suri, Harvey Guillén, and Rupert Friend. Each character feels distinct, and as the weekend unravels, alliances shift and secrets bubble to the surface. The film thrives on that instability. No one is completely innocent, and each character’s complicity in the story’s escalating danger makes the eventual violence feel both inevitable and earned.
Visually, Companion is crisp and modern. The remote house, full of sleek design and subtle surveillance tech, provides the perfect backdrop for a story about control, boundaries, and artificial intimacy. The direction is tight, the pacing fast but not frantic, and the use of sound and silence adds an unsettling tone that lingers long after the credits roll.
What makes Companion particularly chilling is just how timely it feels. As real-world conversations about AI, emotional labor, and synthetic relationships become more mainstream, the film taps into anxieties that already exist. It's not the far future—it’s now, just a step further. The idea of building someone to love you, to obey you, to reflect your desires, is horrifying because it's no longer science fiction.
While the film could dig a little deeper into some of its more ambitious themes, and a few narrative turns feel slightly rushed, these are minor stumbles in an otherwise confident and compelling story. It doesn’t rely on cheap thrills or tech gimmicks, but instead uses a character-driven approach to explore identity, agency, and power.
Companion succeeds because it feels disturbingly plausible. It’s a cautionary tale wrapped in genre entertainment, anchored by great performances and a clear vision. The result is a film that entertains and unsettles in equal measure.
