Sci-fi horror comedy film “Companion” arrived in theatres on Jan. 31, where it earned $9.5 million domestically and garnered mixed reviews. The film, which stars Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid, is labeled as “horror,” but there were no screams or shielded eyes during the film, as the movie theater laughed the whole time. While being silly at times, “Companion” left viewers pondering the powers of AI, female autonomy and power dynamics.
The movie follows a couple who, while on a weekend getaway with friends at a remote cabin, find their trip spiraling into chaos after discovering that one of the guests isn’t what she seems. The movie, written and directed by Drew Hancock, blends humor with suspense in a high-stakes and isolated setting.
We meet the main character, Iris (Sophie Thatcher), in a grocery store. She’s dressed like a retro Barbie: a cute girl with curtain bangs, a headband, winged eyeliner and a vintage frilly outfit. Iris soon meets Josh (Jack Quaid), a harmless, quirky guy who begins their small talk by knocking over a display of oranges. A narrator announces that this was one the greatest days of Iris’ life: the day she met Josh and the day she killed him.
As the movie unfolds, chaos brews. Iris discusses her love for Josh with his best friend Kat (Megan Suri), but Kat doesn’t like Iris. To be fair, Iris doesn’t like Kat either and sees her as a threat to her and Josh’s relationship.
The work is split into three acts, each encompassing a different taste of dialogue. The first act feels rocky with its choppy dialogue, but the early choppiness feels fitting as the film transitions into the second act. The third act, I admit, lost its footing and fell into the typical conventions of a thriller — the petrified, jumpy protagonist whose vulnerability creates the film’s suspense and the obedient evil minion doing the master’s dirty work.
However, the movie doesn’t shy away from giving the viewers clues into Iris’s nature, which is evidenced by the narration during the grocery store scene. Hancock sprinkles subtle hints of her plasticity throughout the film. Her flawless cat-eye in the shower? Not magic, just design. Her carrying the suitcases? She’s a servant. Her obsessive love for her partner? It’s programming. When Josh tells her to sleep, his words are not those of a caring boyfriend — they’re a command you give to OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
Despite some bumps, “Companion” was a pleasant surprise. It is a darkly comedic, feminist sci-fi film with a political edge, combining campiness and humor with a real message about misusing technology and misogyny in relationships. The film’s spotlight shines on Thatcher, who nails her role and ultimately personifies a woman who finally breaks free from a toxic relationship. “Companion” highlights the inescapable importance of balance in everyday life: with people, technology, love and dependence.
While the cast is incredible, “Companion” highlights two of Hollywood’s new rising stars, Quaid and Thatcher. Quiad’s portrayal of Josh beautifully walks the line of being someone you love to hate and hate to love. Thatcher initially plays Iris as dull and lifeless, a perfect primer to the ultimate plot twist. From there, her performance grows until it flourishes as the most memorable aspect of the film.
While I praise “Companion,” if a film discusses sexbots to talk about misogyny, I prefer for it to be written and directed by a woman. There’s an intimacy and understanding that a female perspective could bring to the subject matter, especially since women bear the brunt of misogyny in real life. When men tell stories about misogyny, even with good intentions, there’s an inherent distance. Often, it risks perpetuating certain stereotypes or reducing women’s experiences to mere plot devices rather than fully realized characters.
Overall, “Companion” is a fun movie worth watching. And after it’s over, the average viewer will leave the theater with a newfound fear of ever-evolving AI.
Martha Caroline (MC) Powell (she/her) (28C) is an Emory student aspiring to major in something important, but she hasn’t quite figured it out. She’s hoping it comes to her in a dream. Until then, she keeps herself busy with Ben Pius Mock Trial, SAPA, and The Emory Wheel. Any free time is spent reading, pining over Michelle Zauner, journaling and trying her best to be gluten free.
