Jack Quaid’s Josh Isn’t the Worst in ‘Companion’: Here’s Who I Hate More

by

Warning: big time spoilers for Companion are in play!

Previously, Drew Hancock’s comedy-thriller “Companion,” set in 2025, had been scheduled for release. This film cleverly transformed the typical sci-fi theme of humans mistreating robots into an engaging mystery akin to an Agatha Christie story. Unfortunately, during its initial run at cinemas, it didn’t garner as wide an audience as expected – however, that might soon change.

Currently, viewers have the opportunity to stream the film via a MAX subscription, and in honor of this, I’d like to share an interesting observation I’ve made regarding the characters. Upon closer inspection, it seems that Jack Quaid’s character, Josh, isn’t the most despicable individual in the group as initially perceived.

Jack Quaid’s Josh Is Definitely Companion’s Overall Villain

Josh, a character known for his despicable romantic actions in “Companion,” is by no means being excused for his criminal acts. He deliberately became part of a murder plot, all in an attempt to win over Kat (Megan Suri), the woman he believed had feelings for him. To execute this plan, Josh allowed Iris, his Companion robot portrayed by Sophie Thatcher, to commit the crime and take the fall instead.

In this rephrased version, I’ve tried to maintain the original meaning while making the sentence more accessible and engaging to readers.

With a Max subscription starting at just $9.99 per month, there are higher tiers to enjoy an ad-free experience. While it may not provide a real Empathix Companion robot, you’ll have the freedom to watch Iris battling against her human enemies whenever you desire. If you find yourself siding with the humans, you can always tune in to “The Last of Us” instead! Check out this deal now.

In a surprising contrast, Jack Quaid’s charming demeanor in real life stands in stark opposition to his character Josh. Far from being a lovable figure, Josh is portrayed as a despicable individual. He doesn’t seem to genuinely care for Iris, often choosing self-preservation over her wellbeing. There was never any indication of a path to redemption for Josh, which makes him all the more detestable. This lack of redeeming qualities is one reason I believe there are other characters who appear even more cunning and manipulative. However, it’s important to note that while Sergey (Rupert Friend) and Kat plot against Iris, they too are not the most malicious figures in this story.

I Think Harvey Guillén’s Eli Is An Even Worse Human Being

If rating the ‘Companion’ characters by their villainy was a game, I’d place Eli (Harvey Guillén) at the very least harmful. My argument hinges on the point that he wasn’t compelled to participate in this dramatic turn of events. He had no part in the plan to murder Sergey or steal his money, so his actions seem more akin to betrayal for personal gain rather than genuine involvement.

In a somewhat surprising twist, the character portrayed by Mr. Guillén in “What We Do in the Shadows” was endearing and struggling, but his role as Eli in the film “Companion” showcased a more subtle, yet reprehensible performance. This change might not sit well with fans who appreciated him as Guillermo de la Cruz for six seasons, but I’m about to delve into the less appealing aspects of this crafty character among a group of morally compromised humans.

Eli’s Only Problem With Sergey’s Murder Was He Wasn’t Invited

It’s evident that our adversary, the Companion, doesn’t consider human life valuable when money is involved, as shown by Eli’s case. Beyond the attempted transgression against Sergey, his most heinous act was his womanizing ways. However, being a philanderer alone does not typically justify murder; he wasn’t even tied to organized crime, he was simply a despicable character, and without some compelling reasons, that’s not a valid motive for taking a life.

In simpler terms, when Harvey Guillén’s co-character in “Companion” grumbles about not being invited instead of his friends committing a murder, it presents more than just a minor issue. It’s a significant betrayal to the viewers, but one that effectively maintains interest by making us think, “Guillermo, No!” before developing a genuine dislike for this character.

Even Having His Own Companion Doesn’t Make Eli Any More Sympathetic To Iris

In contrast to the enigmatic narrative about Companion and Iris, it’s common knowledge among the human attendees at the lake for this fateful weekend that Iris is an artificial individual, no secret there. However, the shocking revelation of Eli’s partner Patrick (portrayed by Lukas Gage) being a Companion is skillfully unveiled.

It might seem logical to assume that Eli, who appears to deeply care for his synthetic companion, would be an advocate for robot rights. However, this assumption is proven wrong. Instead, Eli is surprisingly fine with alterations to another model’s Three Laws of Robotics, tolerates confinement, allows himself to be used as a cover-up for murder, and even pursues Iris relentlessly for some unknown purpose.

Additionally, it was unbeknownst to him that the one he considered his Partner, through their shared bond, had realized over time that he was a robot. Upon discovering this truth, he declared with pride that he was in love with a machine… and then returned to his plans of eliminating Iris. Frankly, it’s questionable whether anyone, not even Amazon’s Alexa, would trust him after such an unusual romantic decision.

If Eli Really Loved Patrick, He Wouldn’t Have Gotten Them Involved

What’s even more problematic than the arguments presented earlier is the assertion I’m about to propose. If Eli really cared for Patrick, he wouldn’t just have supported robot rights; he would have kept Patrick out of the situation entirely. Eli had the opportunity to send him away or keep him inactive throughout the entire scenario.

Instead, he invited me to join him on the hunt, and that felt oddly unsettling, reminiscent of bringing your beloved pet for a chase – but this time, it was with another animal. Frankly, it wasn’t a very appealing sight, Eli.

In simpler terms, it means that the situation becomes an ethical dilemma of exceptional complexity, more challenging than any character in “Companion” faces. Initially, you knew Josh and Kat were trouble from the start, and their eventual downfall was expected. However, Eli (Harvey Guillén’s character) had a chance to stay away from the group but chose not to, which indirectly led to Patrick’s self-destructive robot act.

In the show “Companion,” Iris, portrayed by Sophie Thatcher, stands out as the most admirable character. There are numerous contenders for the title of “Worst Human,” but in my opinion, Eli takes the cake. My admiration for Harvey Guillén, who plays the role, has only grown because of it.

Apart from the final section, please feel welcome to express your thoughts about this perspective. If by chance you’ve gone through this summary without watching the movie, there’s no need to worry; it seems that Companion is more enjoyable with spoilers. Both new and seasoned viewers can now enjoy this charming journey on Max while streaming.

Read More

2025-04-22 18:08