Marketed as a film “from the unhinged creators of Barbarian”, Companion prides itself as the second big Hollywood horror flick of the year, following the release of Wolf Man. Whilst I have not seen the former, and therefore unable to make a comparison, I will comment it is profoundly bold of Warner Bros. to hype this release up with that quote.
Don’t get me wrong Companion is a great time in the cinema, with a plethora of laugh-out-loud moments, but I would argue the film is less so unhinged and more so formulaic if anything, which recent horror has dipped into a little more than I have been enjoying…
I was lucky enough to catch an early screening of Companion at ODEON’s latest Scream Unseen screening, where on the odd occasion – a surprise film will be exhibited, with cryptic clues released in the build up keeping the suspense right up until that first title card… unless they spoil it (which was the case for the screening of Presence last week)
SPOILER WARNING: Mild spoilers for the events of Companion will be discussed from this point onwards.
Don’t Watch The Trailer!
It might just be because of my intuition but I feel that one of the most damaging aspects hurting this film is the marketing. Up until the start of the year, the concept behind the film was still very mysterious and that was flipped upside down when it was revealed that Iris (Sophie Thatcher) is in fact a robot companion.
By revealing Iris as a robot in the marketing, the film inadvertently trained audiences, myself included, to essentially be on high alert for other androids. Instead of being taken by surprise by Patrick’s (Lukas Gage) reveal, I found myself actively trying to solve the mystery ahead of time. While the moment still worked, it didn’t land with the full force it might have if I hadn’t been primed to expect more than one Companion. A more restrained marketing campaign, keeping Iris’s nature ambiguous could have heightened the tension and made the twists more impactful.
As predictable as I found the film’s plot, its final slam-dunk moment, focusing on the film’s Chekhov’s Wine Opener is sensational, delivering one of the most satisfying final kills I’ve witnessed in a long time.
97 Minutes Of Non-Stop Madness
Companion‘s pacing is top-notch stuff, there is neither a moment to breathe, nor is there a moment where you begin to feel bored, or want to check your phone for the time which I think is such a difficult feat in the digital age of Netflix and streaming. The film’s narrative is so tight that each scene transitions to another in a really efficient way. Drew Hancock, who is on double duty for this, writing and directing has clearly thought about this and the end product is wonderful..
Sophie Thatcher Is THE Final Girl
By far, the highlight of Companion is Sophie Thatcher’s performance, who delivers a gripping portrayal, effortlessly balancing a very human performance with a steeled resilience that allows audiences to be glued to the screen at all times. From the look of shock as Iris’ hand is melted off to her ability to shift between witty one-liners and an almost robotic detachment from scene to scene, Thatcher proves once again why she is becoming one of the modern greats in the horror genre.
Her recent performances only solidify this. In The Boogeyman, she carried the emotional weight of the film, grounding its supernatural horror in a deeply human story of grief and fear. Meanwhile, her role in Yellowjackets as young Natalie is similarly iconic, capturing the character’s descent into survival-driven brutality with haunting authenticity. With Yellowjackets Season 3 on the horizon, Thatcher is set to push even further into the depths of psychological horror, and if her past work is any indication, audiences could be in for something unforgettable.
An All-Round Strong Ensemble Cast
I very much appreciated the various performances on offer in Companion. To start with, Jack Quaid’s Josh serves as the film antagonist, with the Scream and The Boys star being no stranger to playing a villainous heartthrob. I fear his performance has done immense damage to the reputation of fellow Joshes, however…
One of my favourite surprises from this film was Lukas Gage’s performance as Patrick. The nature of Gage’s role demands versatility, from his softer, more emotional moments shared with Patrick’s partner Eli (Harvey Guillén) contrast drastically with some brutal, cold-blooded set pieces in the film’s second act. Patrick, despite being a robot companion, experiences love in its purest form, believing himself to be truly alive. However, as the film progresses, his arc takes a tragic turn.
Unbeknownst to Patrick, or so he thinks, he is not human, but a Companion. This revelation, paired with the eventual gut-wrenching moment when Iris kills Eli, sends him into heartbreak. His sorrow is soon weaponised, and Josh forcefully mods Patrick, wiping his memory and transforming him into a ruthless, near-unstoppable killing machine. He becomes less of the devoted, loving partner he once was and more of a relentless force, his actions dictated by cold, mechanical programming, evoking shades of The Terminator.
Despite his reprogramming, the film’s climax delivers one final, devastating moment of humanity, Patrick is forced to confront the truth: Eli was the one he loved, not Josh. Overwhelmed by this revelation, he makes the ultimate decision, taking his own life near Eli’s body, choosing to be with him in death as he could not be in life.
Final Thoughts on ‘Companion’
Companion may not be the most shocking, or twisted dark-comedy ever, but it is fast-paced, wickedly fun, and packed with standout performances making it worth watching. Sophie Thatcher continues to position herself as an iconic Final Girl with yet another wickedly talented horror performance under her belt.
Companion releases in theaters on January 31. Check out the trailer below:
The Review
'Companion'
Companion may not be the most shocking, or twisted dark-comedy ever, but it is fast-paced, wickedly fun, and packed with standout performances making it worth watching. Sophie Thatcher continues to position herself as an iconic Final Girl with yet another wickedly talented horror performance under her belt.
