Good For Her

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The film titled “Companion” is a chilling horror production that lingers in your mind post-viewing due to its graphic depictions of grisly deaths, insightful exploration of artificial intelligence in our contemporary world, and a feminist twist on the slasher genre for fans of this genre. The narrative takes an unexpected turn midway through, flipping the script and culminating in a thrilling climax in the last scene. Packed with bloodshed from start to finish, “Companion” doesn’t hold back when it comes to delving into the darker aspects of AI and violence, making it a movie best avoided if you have apprehensions about artificial intelligence.

If you delight in witnessing a strong female protagonist navigating perilous situations and reclaiming her power against an arrogant adversary, then “Companion” could be your ideal horror film pick. It provides a distinctive thrill as it leads to a heartwarming celebration of liberation. Since its streaming debut on Max, it has once more captivated viewers, a feat it accomplished during its cinema release, garnering a 93% critics’ approval on Rotten Tomatoes. Beyond these elements, “Companion” stands out as an excellent “Good For Her” movie.

The “Good For Her” Movie Subgenre Explained

It Started As A Meme

That’s commendable!

The Internet swiftly transformed the situation into a meme, and the phrase “she’s alright for her” has been employed to justify and even glorify actions that would usually be deemed unjustifiable. Although it is often used with skepticism or irony in real-life scenarios, this meme has shaped an entire cinematic subgenre over time. Remarkably, films from the 70s and 80s are now also categorized within this “She’s Alright for Her” subgenre.

A “Good For Her” film isn’t strictly one that champions feminism, but rather a story where the female lead engages in questionable and often illegal actions, ultimately achieving success or making a powerful statement before facing the repercussions. These characters are frequently complex individuals who might be best avoided in real life due to their unconventional methods and actions.

The pleasure derived from watching a “Good For Her” movie lies in observing a character enact fantasies that might arise due to the societal structure of cis-heteropatriarchy. Watching these movies doesn’t mean approval of such actions. Instead, it represents the enjoyment of witnessing exaggerated, violent, and humorous justice, often against individuals who deserve some form of retribution. This is a form of justice we might not support in real life.

Why Companion Is The Perfect “Good For Her” Horror Movie

Iris’s Revenge As AI Is Intriguing

Among various movie genres, horror films are frequently linked to the “Good For Her” subcategory in cinema. However, there’s debate about whether the ending truly signifies a victory for her or if she’s left in a precarious situation. Nevertheless, many viewers argue that the main character in Midsommar experiences the most satisfying “Good For Her” resolution. Horror movies often involve retelling stories of monstrosity and redefining what it means to be a monster. This is why, in some cases, portraying unforgivable actions can be effectively celebrated within the context of a horror film.

In contrast to many genres, horror films are particularly known for portraying stories where the protagonist ultimately gets justice or vengeance, a theme often referred to as “Good For Her” narratives. One notable example is the movie “Gone Girl,” which features Amy Dunne, an iconic character in this category. However, it’s important to note that while there are exceptions like “Gone Girl,” horror is generally the most popular genre for these types of stories. Within horror films, a subclass known as rape-revenge films often falls under the “Good For Her” category. These movies typically revolve around the protagonist’s revenge for the rape they suffer early in the film, which can be graphically violent and serves to exemplify this subgenre.

Additionally, it’s natural that AI can be perceived as a “Good For Her” narrative because it is typically designed to serve someone else. This is the reason why many films about AI explore the idea of AI developing consciousness and challenging its predefined role. It’s easy to see how this kind of plot can metaphorically represent a woman’s struggle for autonomy and liberation from an oppressive controller, as in the movie Ex Machina, where the AI breaks free from her manipulative and self-centered creator.

In the movie “Companion,” there’s Iris (played by Sophie Thatcher), an AI-controlled humanoid who has been given fake memories so she’ll always love Josh (Jack Quaid). Josh plans to exploit her abilities for his personal benefit. However, when Iris learns that she was made to serve Josh indefinitely and he has manipulated her into committing horrific acts of violence, she strives to regain control of herself. The film follows her journey as she overcomes a system meant to keep her subservient and seeks vengeance for the mistreatment she’s endured.

Why Companion Is The Perfect “Good For Her” Horror Movie

Its Execution Of The Subgenre Is Impeccable

In many conventional horror films, the protagonist transforms into a monster as a result of mistreatment and the failings of those around her, often men. For example, in the dark comedy horror film, Jennifer’s Body, we witness Jennifer Check being changed into a monstrous figure who specifically targets young men and boys for prey, following a botched ritual where a boy band intended to sacrifice her.

In a similar vein, though the notion of being designed to serve may seem repugnant, it’s generally understood that AI has been developed primarily for such purposes. Yet, it’s the careless manipulation and misuse of Iris’ capabilities that led her on a path towards reclamation. If Josh hadn’t attempted to utilize her for criminal activities like murder and theft, she could have lived out her existence as intended – an AI assistant for a man. However, he tampered with her settings and subjected her to sexual abuse, which prompted her to take revenge through lethal actions.

In the story of Companion, Iris’ odyssey commences with an element that leans toward a rape-revenge plotline, yet offers an unexpected turn – the individual who violates Iris without her consent, despite deserving punishment for his actions, has been manipulated as well. Therefore, we can say that Josh orchestrated both the assault and the retribution, because he manipulated Iris’ system to delete her non-violence restrictions. Consequently, this retaliation is not justice in any form. This is how Companion constructs a “She Deserves It” movie masterfully – it places agency as the driving force behind Iris’ narrative.

Although it may appear that she has taken revenge for her mistreatment, this is actually when the true abuse comes to light. She was exploited by a man beyond what was legally permitted in their agreement, violating the trust between them. This violation is a form of abuse and transgresses boundaries, as depicted in the “Good For Her” ending of Companion, where she murders him after witnessing his self-centered actions that led to the elimination of others and using another humanoid like her for his purposes.

What Makes Companion’s Iris The Perfect “Good For Her” Heroine

She Subverts A Common Trend Of The Subgenre

Instead of focusing on “Good For Her” films that typically feature a protagonist’s descent into madness, such as “Gone Girl,” “Midsommar,” and the latest addition “Pearl,” the captivating drama “Companion” presents a unique perspective. Unlike these iconic characters, Iris, the main character in “Companion,” remains an innocent and justified individual, making her a character you can easily empathize with and support. There’s no precursor to losing touch with herself or her moral compass that is common in such stories.

Iris is exceptionally empathetic towards everyone around her, and she only resorts to violence in self-defense. An incident involving her assault led to a murder, but at that time, she wasn’t fully in control of herself. Once regaining control, she focuses on using her intelligence to outsmart Josh rather than hunting him down with lethal intent. Different from the typical “Good For Her” heroine, Iris has the opportunity to escape and break free from oppressive situations.

Even though Iris benefits from being an AI companion who won’t be pursued except for memory wipe after the murders and Josh’s confession, she still chooses to prioritize escape over seeking vengeance. A typical “Good For Her” narrative typically presents extreme choices made by the protagonist, although inexcusable, as their only path to freedom. However, Iris cleverly utilizes her advantage of not being trapped in such a situation, but she doesn’t hesitate to help others threatened by Josh’s violent tendencies whenever possible.

The ending of the movie where Iris kills Josh and then experiences a fresh start presents her as an exceptional “Heroine Redeemed,” a character who embodies both the familiar storyline elements of traditional “Good For Her” films while also challenging the stereotype of morally questionable protagonists. Iris’s tale is uniquely inspiring, blending themes of defiance and renewal – her liberation from the oppressive system she was once a part of, coupled with her decision to avoid causing undue harm, makes her an admirable character who refuses to conform to negative patterns.

Companion Shows Where The “Good For Her” Subgenre Can Go Next

The Future Is Bright For The Subgenre

In essence, the message in the “Good For Her” scene from “Arrested Development” revolves around the amusement derived from observing a woman acting unjustifiably, as a form of defiance or rebellion. Over time, discussions surrounding this topic have evolved into an uneasy endorsement of illegal actions. Characters like Amy Dunne are not role models to emulate. Unlike the portrayal in the movies themselves, modern interpretations of “Good For Her” often miss the intended irony, which is concerning given how frequently people genuinely believe these characters were innocent in their actions.

Instead, Companion presents an alternate approach to the widely acclaimed “Good For Her” genre films, steering clear of endorsing or glamorizing criminal activities. Iris’ narrative illustrates how a “Good For Her” storyline doesn’t necessarily rely on deliberate devastation, even while challenging and dismantling oppressive systems. Companion could pave the way for a fresh wave of “Good For Her” films that champion rebellion without mingling moral uncertainty in the process.

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2025-05-21 21:29