Note: This is a film that is impossible to speak on without spoilers. So, from this point on, spoilers abound.
Companion is a darkly humorous sci-fi thriller that boldly blends murder mystery, futuristic romance, and a twisted commentary on modern relationships. In director Drew Hancock’s feature debut, audiences are introduced to a near-future world where customizable, emotionally supportive androids have become the norm. The film opens with an adorkable meet-cute in a grocery store, where Iris (Sophie Thatcher) and Josh (Jack Quaid) share a brief, awkward connection over spilled oranges. This seemingly mundane moment quickly escalates into a weekend getaway at an isolated luxury cabin owned by a rich Russian billionaire, setting the stage for a series of events that are as unpredictable as they are violent.
From the very start, Companion teases viewers with hints of its central twist. Iris, with her retro-inspired curtain bangs, headband, and winged eyeliner, appears to be the perfect, albeit vulnerable, companion. However, early on, Josh reveals that she is not a human at all but an “emotional support robot” created by the company Empathix. This revelation is delivered with a wry nod to classic films like The Stepford Wives, yet Hancock manages to infuse the concept with a fresh, offbeat energy. Instead of simply using Iris’s robotic nature as a gimmick, the film uses it to explore themes of dependency and the dangerous allure of perfection in relationships, suggesting that the very technology designed to fill our emotional voids might instead mirror our darkest deficiencies.
The narrative unfolds through a tightly constructed script that balances sharp humor with genuine suspense. Hancock’s story is not burdened by excessive exposition; instead, it gradually reveals its layers through clever character interactions and unexpected plot twists. As the weekend getaway spirals out of control, the relationships between the eclectic group of characters become increasingly strained. Josh, who initially comes off as a sensitive, well-meaning partner, slowly transforms into a figure whose true nature is far more menacing. Meanwhile, supporting characters such as Kat (Megan Suri), Sergey (Rupert Friend), Eli (Harvey Guillén), and Patrick (Lukas Gage) add their own flavors to the narrative, each contributing to the growing sense that this is a story about more than just a malfunctioning robot, it is a mirror reflecting the toxic dynamics of modern romance.
In Companion, toxic masculinity is rendered in stark relief through the film’s portrayal of relationships as programmable transactions. The android Iris is not merely a futuristic love interest but a symbolic construct of how some men view women: as customizable tools designed solely to fulfill their emotional needs without complication. This perspective is depicted as insidious and contagious, as characters like Josh subtly impose their expectations, effectively “infecting” their peers and loved ones with the idea that women are objects to be used rather than individuals to be valued. By showcasing a world where the ideal partner is stripped of genuine humanity and empathy, the film offers a biting commentary on the corrosive nature of toxic masculinity, revealing how it permeates social interactions and dehumanizes the very people it claims to desire.
There’s a brief moment in Companion where one character morphs into a Terminator-like figure, embodying an unfeeling, robotic persona that seems designed to underscore toxic masculinity. While this over-the-top shift doesn’t quite resonate as effectively as the film’s more subtle narrative beats, it serves an important role in the overall story, highlighting how cold, calculated behavior can dehumanize relationships. Fortunately, this homage to sci-fi excess is fleeting, ensuring that its occasional clunkiness doesn’t detract from the film’s otherwise tight and engaging storytelling.
The soundtrack, curated by Hrishikesh Hirway, is another standout element. The score skillfully underpins the film’s shifting moods, alternating between moments of dark humor, intense suspense, and brutal, bloody action. Modern songs intersperse with atmospheric musical cues, ensuring that the auditory experience is as engaging as the visual one. The sound design not only complements the on-screen chaos but also elevates the underlying emotional and thematic currents of the story.
Companion is a film that revels in its contradictions. It is a murder mystery that doubles as a romantic drama, a sci-fi thriller that uses technology to comment on very human weaknesses, and a dark comedy that never loses sight of its brutal core. Though its later acts sometimes stumble under the weight of its own ambition, particularly when it shifts into explaining the intricacies of its AI technology, the film’s clever construction, vibrant ensemble cast, and relentless pacing make it an entertaining and thought-provoking experience. Hancock may not reinvent the wheel, but with Companion, he certainly gives it a few sharp, bloody spins, proving that even in a world overrun by killer robots and toxic relationships, there is still room for surprising, uncompromising storytelling.
4/5 Stars
