Companion Is a Perfectly Mean Romp

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To fully enjoy the opening act of “Companion“, it’s best to approach it fresh without prior knowledge. However, this also makes discussing the movie challenging because the plot twist, which isn’t really a twist but rather the foundation of the story, is hidden in the first significant turn of events. So, be prepared for some unexpected twists and turns.

“Companion”, a deceptively dark comedy by writer-director Drew Hancock, kicks off with an endearing encounter at a grocery store. The protagonist, Iris (played by Sophie Thatcher), who resembles Zooey Deschanel in her curtain bangs, headband, winged eyeliner, and vintage flairs, runs into Josh (Jack Quaid) in the produce department. He awkwardly knocks over a display of oranges, she laughs it off, and before you know it, they’re heading for a weekend getaway at a lakeside cabin with two other couples. Iris is apprehensive, fearing she might embarrass Josh around his friends, particularly Kat (Megan Suri), whose wealthy Russian boyfriend Sergey (Rupert Friend), the owner of the cabin, seems to harbor hostility towards her. Eli (Harvey Guillén) and his boyfriend Patrick (Lukas Gage) are more inviting, but Iris still feels like an outsider in their group.

In simpler terms, the story revolves around Iris, who is either a newcomer in an existing group of friends, more sincere and exposed than others, with her life centered on Josh, or she might not be human at all. Josh dislikes the term “fuck-bot,” which he uses to describe Iris as she learns about her true identity. Iris is actually an “emotional support robot” designed by a company called Empathix, capable of acting like a perfect partner with customizable settings, devoted behavior, and even some fake memories to make her feel real. The show subtly hints at this in the initial scenes, making it intriguing to revisit them later on. Iris’s characteristics, such as her unwavering gaze, carrying luggage, and intense focus on Josh, are not due to emotions but rather her design, programming, and expected servitude. The times when Josh tells her to wake up or go to sleep are not expressions of love but commands given to a device. The show isn’t explicitly obvious about Iris’s identity, but it cleverly sets up the story in such a way that these initial scenes become more significant as the story unfolds.

In this rephrased version:

Hancock’s film debut, “Companion,” following two decades in television, doesn’t quite recapture the initial excitement but moves forward effectively, introducing a few unexpected twists and increasing the violence as the story progresses. Reminiscent of “The Menu,” a dark comedy released two years ago, “Companion” shares similarities in its nimbleness, cynicism, and efficient narrative structure centered around limited settings.

Like “The Menu,” “Companion” touches upon political themes but only superficially, replacing “eat-the-rich” sentiments with “hell-with-the-misogynists” without delving deeper into the ideas it presents. However, it’s challenging to lament a lack of depth when the primary goal is to provide entertainment. With its clever plot structure and comedic delivery, it offers a wicked journey filled with an escalating death toll and some sharp one-liners.

Thatcher, who delivered a memorable performance in “Heretic,” is establishing herself in the increasingly popular genre of comedic thrillers with her role in “Companion.” Guillén and Gage also deliver enjoyable performances. Friend, too, is noteworthy in this unique genre.

Quaid plays a character that seems to become a recurring antagonist in 2025 – the softboy with a cruel heart, who appears sensitive and says all the right things but hides deep-seated anger ready to explode into violent actions. The movie, Companion, is primarily a story about relationships rather than sci-fi, set in a future where self-driving cars are common, but other aspects remain familiar. The weakest part of the movie is the ending, which delves too much into explaining its technology. However, it accurately captures the fascination with artificial intelligence today – not so much the bigger questions about consciousness and ethics, but how we see this technology as a way to fill gaps in ourselves, seeking a partner who’s always available and interested without having personal needs. This futuristic offering is more like a mirror than companionship, revealing aspects of ourselves that may not be attractive – even if the reflection is always flawless.

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2025-01-22 20:53