Drew Hancock directed the film Companion, which set out to deliver a fun experience surrounded by dark satire and sci-fi-set violence. It truly delivers. While the film tackles issues like AI, control, and the fragility of humanity, it anchors itself with brilliant performances by Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid as it follows a disturbing, violence-filled weekend getaway.
The setup
This movie dives straight into its original premise without any filler. Iris (Sophie Thatcher) and Josh (Jack Quaid) have what looks like a meet-cute in a grocery store. But Iris later learns that she is a companion robot built by a company called Empathix. These companions are the perfect partners and can be fully customized, deeply caring, and even imprinted with memories. To top it off, they can be powered down with simple voice commands. The film then plunges into a thrilling survival game where trust is broken and morality is scrutinized.
What works:
- Sophie Thatcher’s performance. Thatcher is undoubtedly the star of the movie, and she doesn’t hide it. She captivates the audience as she reveals the different sides of Iris with a performance that is sure to turn heads. For a character so complex, she makes her appear both fragile and powerful.
- Jack Quaid’s versatility. Quaid continues to impress with what seems to be the most ordinary of characters. He convincingly plays a nice, kind of charismatic guy who has a lot of hidden contempt and a shocking amount of control issues.
- Sharp script and direction. The script by Drew Hancock is clever and explosive, filled with witty, self-reflective humor and modern insights. He kept the film upbeat and fully in motion and skillfully timed the humor throughout.
- Social commentary. Companion scrutinizes how relationships interact with power dynamics, people’s increasing reliance on AI, and the unnerving idea of robots made for human interaction being commodified and mistreated. It flips the expectations of the audience by asserting that the bigger threat is not the technology, but the people who choose to wield it.
- Effective use of budget. The film cleverly utilizes its budget constraints by crafting an eerie and intimate atmosphere in the secluded lakehouse.
What doesn’t work:
- Predictable elements. While the film overall does a good job of keeping the audience guessing, certain plot points may be a bit too far-fetched for some viewers.
- Underdeveloped twist. In marketing, one substantial twist in the first act is spoiled.
- Shallow characters. Some critics have pointed out that many of the characters are cliched and lack development.
Critical reception
Due to its writing, captivating performances, and theme’s depth, Companion has been appreciated by critics. The film was described as a twisty, bloody fun thriller that keeps the audience engaged throughout.
Overall
Companion is a fascinating movie that combines elements of dark comedy and social criticism. It is an incredible creation in the genre, directed, acted, and written with so much sophistication. The movie’s take on AI, control, and interpersonal dynamics makes it thoroughly interesting and fulfilling as it is.