Sophie Thatcher on Her ‘Companion’ Robot Role and Toxic Relationships

by

Sophie Thatcher can cry a single tear out of either eye on command.

In a surprising turn, the scene in question left director Drew Hancock astonished during the third act of his upcoming sci-fi thriller “Companion.” In this particular tense moment, he requested Thatcher to try and produce a single tear while maintaining an otherwise stoic expression. She accepted the challenge on the spot and delivered without hesitation.

He states, revealing some shock, “She has the choice of which eye to project from.” This is how she manages her physical presence, a fascinating concept indeed. For that particular moment in the scene, I must admit, it left me unsettled as its significance is immense. One needs to genuinely feel her agony for the impact to be effective.

Appropriately, the idea of control comes up frequently in conversation with Thatcher.

On an unusually frosty Los Angeles afternoon, we encounter her sitting on the terrace of a stylish café, holding a cup of black coffee. Her extended black coat harmonizes well with the cold-weather patrons, yet it contrasts slightly with the tables adorned with unique beverages, as if her drink choice is from a bygone era. In a sense, she too seems to be outdated or anachronistic.

At 24 years old, Thatcher appears to be separated from typical Hollywood peers in her twenties, opting out of TikTok and influencer culture to pursue an artistic lifestyle. She’s preparing to travel to New York City to kick off the promotional tour for “Companion,” a movie where she portrays Iris, a sophisticated robot who is Josh’s (played by Jack Quaid) loving girlfriend. However, during a getaway with friends, an unexpected act of violence occurs that leads Iris to understand her true nature as a robot devoid of autonomy and merely a plaything for Josh. Determined to control her own fate, she attempts to assert herself.

Despite Iron Lady-like courage exhibited by Iris in her performances, she posed a distinctive challenge since her personality could drastically alter based on her surroundings – this becomes more complex when it’s disclosed that an application exists which can dramatically modify various aspects of her temperament such as intelligence, strength, and even language.

She admits that at first she felt frightened, but then, when faced with such a thick script, she knew she needed to re-read it. This was actually beneficial because you don’t want to finish a script and think, ‘That’s all there is.’ Instead, you hope to discover something new each time you read it. Initially, she doubted her ability to pull it off due to the technical challenges ahead. However, after re-reading it, she realized that this was a unique blend of various genres, and despite being a robot movie, it had a very human feel to it.

Hancock observes that although the role was intricate, Thatcher infused it with a profound emotional insight.

He explains it as a woman rapidly realizing she’s in a toxic partnership. In just one day, she encounters insights that typically take years to uncover: ‘I’m nothing more than a plaything for this person, and they don’t see me as an equal.’ Her sharpened intellect represents her newfound self-awareness, and she suddenly understands that she deserves her own desires and validation. The challenge is how to escape such a situation. In Sophie’s case, it seemed effortless, which is unfortunate because we’ve all been in similar predicaments. Tapping into the raw emotions she experienced during the breakup, the phone call confirming the toxicity, and acknowledging that she was trapped in an unhealthy relationship felt natural.

Even though the storyline leads Iris into challenging aspects of her relationship with Josh, Thatcher shares that some of the most emotionally taxing scenes occurred at the start of the movie, as Iris’ character hasn’t yet discovered she is a robot living a romantic comedy life devoted to her man.

She finds Jack incredibly charismatic, intelligent, and gifted, making it effortless to connect with him,” she explains. “Yet, there was an uneasy vibe between them, likely due to their complicated relationship. It seems my discomfort played a part, as I often find myself in similar situations. Initially, watching their interaction made me cringe, as the character yearns for affection. This portrayal felt desperate in a way that was new to me, yet it resonated with me, as I often identify with characters.

Quaid, who contrasted yet complemented Thatcher during scenes of warmth and turmoil, notes that Thatcher’s genuine empathy allowed for a convincing portrayal of their complex relationship on screen.

He praises Sophie by saying, ‘She’s an exceptional listener.’ He adds that not many people he has worked with possess such exceptional listening skills, and Sophie is one of them. He describes her ability to listen as a hidden strength. Many people discuss the concept of chemistry and whether or not it exists between individuals. In his opinion, it boils down to two people who are open to listening to each other and learning from one another. He acknowledges that his relationship with Sophie was complex, but she showed great interest in understanding it. He finds it delightful to collaborate with someone who genuinely cares about the outcome of their work, and he believes that Sophie truly did.

Ever since she was cast in the popular survival series “Yellowjackets” on Showtime, acting has been Thatcher’s main passion. She has consistently stood out in scenes since the show premiered in 2021. In this series, Thatcher portrays Natalie, a determined teenager stranded with her soccer teammates after a plane crash deep in the wilderness. The story takes a turn for the worse as the survivors face unimaginable tragedies, including cannibalism. Thatcher openly shares that playing Natalie in Season 3, which premieres on Feb. 14, plunged her into a somber mental state from which it’s challenging to emerge.

Performing in these films while working on ‘Yellowjackets’ feels strange because Natalie seems to linger within me,” she explains. “I’ve noticed that during interviews with the cast, I change, and I somehow transform into Natalie, although it’s not deliberate. I portrayed her when I was younger, and our personalities were already quite similar, making it effortless to slip back into character. There’s something about Natalie that lingers, and returning always feels intimidating.

As a supporter, I can’t help but be captivated when recalling Natalie’s unique blend of rebelliousness and intensity that left such an impact on Thatcher during her early acting days. Raised in the vast Chicago metropolitan area, I was nurtured by my devoutly Mormon mother alongside my two siblings and my identical twin, Ellie.

Thatcher believes her religious education fostered a curiosity within her to scrutinize the world, as well as delve into various aspects of her artistic endeavors.

She remarks, ‘It seemed to spark a desire to resist within me.’ She admits she often goes against the grain in life; when someone expresses dislike towards something, she tends to embrace its opposite instead. Her innate inclination is to forge her own path, an inclination she has always had. If anything, it served as a catalyst.

Although Mormonism has a more traditional side to it, Thatcher found encouragement to explore artistic endeavors beyond just stage acting and playing church music with her family.

She explains that while she was involved in theater, there was no criticism from the church. However, when she starred as a prostitute in ‘Oliver’ at the age of 12, she remembers feeling like she had a hidden shame, which she enjoyed immensely. This experience helped her break out of her comfort zone and embrace being unique.

Following small-screen debuts in supporting roles for shows like “Chicago P.D.” and “The Exorcist,” my path took an exciting turn when I was chosen to star in the 2018 indie sci-fi film “Prospect,” alongside Jay Duplass and Pedro Pascal. Despite not being a box office sensation, this role catapulted me onto a swift ascent in my acting career at a young age.

At the moment mentioned, she disclosed that she was performing in a play by Tom Stoppard. Previously, theater had been her domain, and it was familiar territory for her. She recollects the audition process, where she cried following the callback due to fear of failing. Three hours later, they informed her that she had secured the role. This marked her initial success. It was then that she began to believe in whatever was transpiring. For the first time, she felt fortunate. Despite feigning confidence, she thought, “This could be genuine.”

Or, more concisely:

During that period, she admitted being part of a Tom Stoppard play. Theater was her forte, and she remembered weeping after the callback due to self-doubt. Three hours later, they informed her she got the role, marking her first breakthrough. It was then that she felt fortunate, as she believed in what was happening, thinking, “This could be my reality.

My acting opportunities have become more regular, including a part in the 2019 film “The Tomorrow Man,” a later-in-love story shown at Sundance, and a significant role in the less recognized 2020 drama “When the Streetlights Go On.” Unfortunately, this production premiered as a Quibi original series. However, my career took off after that, largely due to my involvement in the TV show “Yellowjackets.

In this series, the story unfolds across two different time periods. The younger version of Natalie, portrayed by Thatcher, is set in the ’90s, while the adult Natalie is played by Juliette Lewis in the present day. Both actors demonstrate an uncanny talent for delving into dark territories at a remarkably young age. Interestingly, Thatcher bears a striking resemblance to a young Juliette Lewis, and her on-screen persona echoes Lewis’s fearless early roles, such as those in “Cape Fear” (1991) and “Natural Born Killers” (1994).

Initially, Thatcher resisted being likened to Lewis, but soon found a common ground in their shared passion for art. This connection sparked a sense of kinship that they both felt.

Thatcher expresses that people frequently compare her to Juliette, even in formal settings like interviews, which bothers her because she is aware of being an individual. However, she admits that Natalie holds a strong influence over her since she’s still portraying her character. Thatcher and Juliette shared a deep connection through music, as they quickly discovered their compatibility and shared interests. They also seemed to share a similar intensity about various topics.

In the role of Natalie, Thatcher’s pivotal driving force was significantly highlighted. According to “Yellowjackets” creator Jonathan Lisco, it was during the filming of an especially challenging scene in the second episode that he was initially captivated by her acting prowess.

Lisco remarks, “The plane exploded and we headed into the wilderness to investigate the wreckage.” He praises his entire young cast, noting that he has only positive things to say about them. However, one moment stands out – when Sophie was buried under debris and in shock. As a camera passed over her, she was largely immobile, yet everything was playing out in her eyes. This was the first time I was watching from behind the monitor that I thought, ‘Wow, this actress can express deep emotion with minimal actions.’

What I appreciate about collaborating with her is that when we’re crafting narratives together, we often use falsehoods to reveal truth. Occasionally, an actor might appear dishonest, but you think, ‘That doesn’t quite add up. It feels off.’ However, with Sophie, I rarely encounter such instances because she’s not being dishonest. Instead, a profound and subtle truth, accompanied by an extraordinary surface-level vulnerability, seems to radiate from her. She draws you in, making you think she’s playing a fragile or insecure character. But then, her inherent power emerges, expressed through her eyes and facial expressions, creating such a vivid and evocative impact.

Other directors recognized her power, leading to Thatcher being offered a series of horror films. These roles spanned various sub-genres, such as studio productions where she portrayed a determined daughter dealing with a family cursed by evil in the Stephen King adaptation “Boogeyman”. Additionally, she starred in the final installment of the A24 trilogy titled “MaXXXine.

In November, her latest movie titled “Heretic,” also produced by A24, marked another significant success in her career. The film featured Thatcher and Chloe East as Mormon missionaries who are abducted by a captivating yet disturbed individual portrayed by Hugh Grant, who harbors sinister views about religion. Despite its seemingly cold plotline, it became a box office sensation and Grant’s menacing performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination.

The movie follows a thriller format but stands out due to extended conversations about faith among the three main characters. For actress Thatcher, who was raised as a Mormon, this exploration of religious themes proved thought-provoking and resonant.

She admits that she often takes on characters with painful pasts and emotional turmoil. This process inevitably leads her to reflect on her own youth, a time when her apprehension first began, largely due to religion. This journey back to her childhood was quite striking. It was the most extensive exploration of her past feelings and anxieties that she had experienced in years, anxieties she’s been working hard to leave behind.

Regardless of their distinct genres, the horror films “Companion” and “Heretic” possess strikingly relevant and similar underlying themes. In “Heretic”, the protagonist, Grant, captures women and indoctrinates them with his misogynistic religious views until they submit; similarly, in “Companion”, Iris is the possession of a powerful, angry manchild from the year 2025, demonstrating a disturbing pattern of control.

Thatcher admitted that she didn’t completely grasp the cultural critique portrayed in the movie, as well as its resemblance to “Heretic,” until after she had seen the final version of it.

Upon reading it, I sensed something profound, yet upon rewatching, the depth was astonishingly more than I had initially thought. This piece could potentially resonate with individuals in relationships and women, sparking conversations. At present, everything seems dismal. Upon rewatching, I recognized this and appreciate its optimistic conclusion. It turns out to be far more complex than I had initially envisioned. The script was rich with meaning, but seeing it all come together speaks volumes about domestic violence and control. Interestingly enough, the theme of control is present in both ‘Heretic’ and ‘Companion’.

Actress Thatcher, who dedicates herself entirely to her craft and characters that delve into profound depths, is surprisingly cheerful and light-hearted in real life. Her primary means of expelling darkness is through her greatest passion: music. As a vocalist and versatile musician, she launched her debut EP titled “Pivot & Scrape” in October, and lent her voice to the soundtracks of “Heretic” (with a moody rendition of Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”) and “Companion” (a wordless, eerie melody named “Iris’s Theme”).

She expresses her gratitude by saying, ‘Music serves as an escape for me,’. It seems to be more personal and authentic compared to acting, which she considers a profession. Despite not being as passionate about it as music, she holds a deep love for both.

I’m immersed in crafting a fresh set of tunes at present, aiming for a complete album and future live shows. However, the crucial aspect that drives my creativity is nurturing the freedom and enthusiasm within my work.

She mentions that she’s discovering her unique sound, and she believes it’s evolving. It’s growing more complex, and she’s taking on more responsibilities by herself. For the first time, she’s composing songs where she plays every instrument, which gives her a sense of satisfaction as it feels like she’s realizing her entire creative vision.

The spontaneity of form also allows Thatcher to stretch wholly different creative muscles.

In my creative journey, I often find myself gravitating towards melodies, and quite frequently, I improvise with them rather than words. Once I settle on a few key phrases, I weave a narrative around them. It might seem an unconventional approach to songwriting, but since I lack formal training in music, it’s more about following my intuition. In contrast, acting is something I’ve been trained in extensively, and it’s a completely different experience. For me, music is all about embracing the spontaneity of the moment.

When Thatcher isn’t in the studio, her deep love for music is evident in her conversations. Just that morning, she was moved to tears while wandering around West Hollywood, listening to Peter Ivers, the enigmatic composer who breathed life into the haunting music of David Lynch’s “Eraserhead”. In discussions, she casually mentions the Pixies, the Smile, Neil Young, Elvis Costello, Cindy Lee, and Elliott Smith – her favorite among them.

Beyond sharing updates on my upcoming endeavors, my Instagram feed and stories primarily showcase the art and fashion that resonate deeply with me. With my versatile looks and striking high cheekbones, it’s not surprising that I’ve found a home behind the camera lens. It seems Vogue has recognized my unique style as a harmonious blend of innocent charm and edgy punk, influencing every look I don. However, I remain humble about my role in the fashion world, choosing to focus on the art and creativity rather than personal accolades.

She explains that dressing up is similar to taking on roles, and this changes daily, serving as a means of self-expression and reflecting one’s mood. However, she finds fashion intriguing. It’s enjoyable when it’s collaborative, but not fun when it feels mechanical, like being dressed to fit a certain image, which she feels is inevitable for actors. But she sees it as characters coming to life in photo shoots – that’s why it’s easy for her – yet it’s less rewarding than acting. It can be tedious, but experimenting with various characters and moods in photo shoots is fun. She’s beginning to view fashion as an art form, but she was unaware of brands before. She still doesn’t have a great interest in them, but they can be incredibly artistic.

It’s in these areas of the industry – where she has minimal influence – that it’s evident Thatcher struggles the most to maneuver. The notoriety and recognizability, particularly as her face becomes ubiquitous on posters throughout Hollywood for “Companion,” are peculiar aspects she seems to grapple with.

She jokes, “This phase is peculiar in a way; it’s both ‘I want this film to succeed,’ and yet another part of me whispers, ‘I hope it doesn’t prosper excessively, as I cherish my current lifestyle.’ At the moment, it’s just right. I appreciate its under-the-radar status. The responses I get are typically from individuals who aren’t directly involved, which is a unique experience. We’ll have to wait and see what happens with this movie.

Eventually, Thatcher expresses worry about being labeled solely as a horror actress. Apart from “Yellowjackets,” she hasn’t confirmed any future roles yet, and she aims to be thoughtful when deciding her next move.

She expresses caution about her upcoming decision, but is eager for it to be a challenging, impactful role. She yearns for a unique opportunity to delve deeper into her acting abilities and take on a character unlike those she’s portrayed previously, as repeating familiar roles feels monotonous to her.

She has a strong tendency to consume movies compulsively for inspiration (“It’s part of your job – doesn’t it seem odd not to?”), cherishes a stellar group of directors she longs to collaborate with, including Sean Baker, Kelly Reichardt, and even reminisces about legendary filmmakers from the past such as Robert Altman and Dennis Hopper.

She expresses her preference for actors who have esteemed careers, stating, “I strive to consider performers whose careers I admire.” Her ambition is to portray diverse characters, aiming for roles that are starkly distinct from one another and where she doesn’t see herself reflected. Instead, she seeks a role that offers self-discovery. At present, she’s in a phase of wanting to focus on independent projects… the financial aspect holds no importance to her. What she yearns for is collaboration with directors who will challenge her, leaving her drained but ultimately content two months afterwards.

Apart from her acting career, Meryl Streep has served as executive producer on her sister Emma’s film “Provo,” and she expresses a desire to delve deeper into roles behind the camera, such as screenwriting and directing. She remarks that this is an exciting time for actors because they have more creative control, and it’s becoming increasingly accepted for them to move into directing and producing, stating: “It’s now considered quite normal.

Ultimately, even as an artist in control, Thatcher hopes her work can give people a release.

She expresses her desire for people to experience empathy, to be comprehended, and to share her depth of feelings. She feels deeply herself, and wishes others to feel the same.

Read More

2025-01-31 20:54