Professional’s Ranking
Our Verdict
Companion’s embrace of the absurd creates a depraved thriller/comedy style mash-up. That stated, you’ll solely actually be on the sting of your seat if you already know as little as doable getting in, and that’ll be a tough promote.
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If I’m being trustworthy, writing a overview of Drew Hancock’s newest thriller, Companion, is fairly darn tough.
As I do for all screenings, I watched the trailer and checked out the preview pictures earlier than the occasion. However in all honesty, I want I’d gone in blind. Whereas not all of the twists are revealed within the promotional materials, the most important one is. The sticking level is that it could even be the set off to get bums in seats.
As soon as you already know that a part of the plot, there are loads of cheeky nods and clues that had me and different viewers members chuckling with our insider data. However an enormous a part of me felt envious of the gasps heard within the cinema when folks realised precisely what was taking place.
© 2025 Warner Bros. Leisure Inc. All Rights Reserved.
I can’t make this a good overview with out discussing Companion’s premise, however in the event you’re planning on getting in spoiler-free (and I like to recommend you do), I can delay it. I’ll let you know that it’s a feminist thriller that could be very a lot conscious of how weird it’s.
It follows a gaggle of mates who journey to an remoted cabin for a soothing break. Nonetheless, one violent act fully turns every part the wrong way up. Sounds fairly generic, proper? I promise it’s not, however I can’t let you know why… but.
There’s an efficient use of flashbacks in what’s in any other case a movie largely set in a single location – like a bottle episode of TV. It’s additionally unexpectedly humorous, with sharp jokes and lots of absurd onerous cuts. The hilarious use of the road ‘the studio that introduced you The Pocket book’ within the teaser captures the black humour Companion likes to make use of.
…an enormous a part of me felt envious of the gasps heard within the cinema when folks realised precisely what was taking place
This tone helps steadiness out the gore, which is useful for anybody who’s a little bit of a pathetic wimp like me. I’d liken the tone to that of The Boys (with out the superhero ingredient), which can be a draw for any Jack Quaid followers, as he’s additionally the actor enjoying the male lead, Josh. What We Do within the Shadows star Harvey Guillén additionally deserves loads of credit score for bringing the enjoyable because the character Eli.
For that purpose, I wouldn’t name Companion a straight horror or slasher. Relatively than counting on leap scares, the darker components are extra insidious and tie into a number of topical points inside society. With a run time of simply 1 hour and 37 minutes, it’s a well-structured plot with no dithering. I’m a agency believer that longer doesn’t equal higher.
Main star Sophie Thatcher is unimaginable, which is not any shock contemplating her roles in Heretic and Yellowjackets. Her mannerisms are rigorously thought of as she takes on a really troublesome half. She’s definitely carving a reputation for herself within the thriller/horror area, and I’ve little question we’ll see extra of her in years to come back.
That’s about so far as I can go with out going into the trailer. So, cease right here in the event you don’t need any spoilers.
If it’s good to know extra, hold studying and be happy to look at the trailer beneath, although I gained’t delve into every other twists past what the advertising and marketing exhibits.
Reader, get up.
Okay, nonetheless with me? Nice. The important thing purpose Thatcher’s efficiency is so stellar is I by no means thought I’d see an AI intercourse robotic portrayed with such nuance.
And that’s probably the most attention-grabbing factor about this movie; it’s what makes Companion stand out from the competitors. The primary twenty minutes of the flick don’t reveal this twist, however we see that Iris (which is fittingly Siri, backwards) doesn’t fairly slot in with the remainder of the group.
She’s good. Too good. Her adoration of Josh is over-infatuation, and her Barbie-doll-like look not often modifications – even whereas showering, her make-up stays flawless. And naturally, it’s not helped that sure members of the group deal with her as an inferior. In spite of everything, she will be able to’t assist the best way she was constructed.
© 2025 Warner Bros. Leisure Inc. All Rights Reserved.
This film has quite a few references to the Terminator franchise, one thing I revelled in as an Arnie fan. Nonetheless, fairly than specializing in the ‘robots: unhealthy’ theme, it explores how man-made, lifelike beings can flip people into the worst of the worst. There are additionally many nods to The Stepford Wives.
Companion makes use of robots managed by a smartphone as a metaphor for coercive and abusive relationships. With the present wariness over AI, the fixed want for scrolling-induced dopamine and the harmful rise of incel tradition, it’s a movie that captures the zeitgeist of the mid-2020s.
That stated, there are some weak motivations for sure characters. Radical options drive this narrative, and if you begin to decide it aside, they don’t really feel like selections most rational folks would make.
There’s additionally the traditional sluggish actions/monologuing throughout life-or-death situations, which can annoy some. After all, it’s onerous to use life like considering to a world about killer love bots, so I’m certain some viewers will have the ability to droop their disbelief and benefit from the wild experience for what it’s.
I by no means thought I’d see an AI intercourse robotic portrayed with such nuance
And sure, regardless of probably the most surprising story beat being spoilt within the trailer, there are nonetheless moments of wondrous surprises, with one revelation drawing a vocal response from my viewing crowd – I embody myself in that group.
I can solely say, don’t dissect that trailer above an excessive amount of. Many different key moments that may have been jarring are proven in plain sight, and as such I typically remembered what was coming earlier than it was proven. Satirically, Terminator 2 additionally had the identical downside with its advertising and marketing on the time.
And therein lies the difficulty with Companion’s advertising and marketing: to attract within the individuals who’d benefit from the movie most, it must spoil its personal surprises.
© 2025 Warner Bros. Leisure Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Must you watch Companion?
When you love thrillers with black humour and a fairly insane premise, you should have a enjoyable time watching Companion. Sophie Thatcher is a breakout star, and that is only the start of a thriving profession for her.
Put merely, you’ll get the perfect expertise in the event you don’t watch the trailers. Even the teaser.
When you’ve already gone previous that time, or it’s good to persuade a buddy to come back together with you, that could be unavoidable. Sadly, the advertising and marketing provides away the most important twist, together with a number of flashes of different developments. Components of the plot are additionally flimsy, however chances are you’ll get carried away with all of the violence and hilarity to miss that.
I had a bloody good time watching it… I simply want I knew much less beforehand.
Companion is out in cinemas on Friday 31 January 2025. UK viewers can seize tickets from Cineworld, Odeon and Vue, whereas these within the US can get them from AMC Theatres, Fandango and Atom Tickets.