The key to enjoying films like Companion is sometimes knowing as little as possible about them. Some critics and commentators unfortunately felt betrayed by Companion‘s trailer in the lead up to its release. They said the trailer spoilt key reveals of the film. In truth I watched the trailer before going to the theatre but I was still able to enjoy the movies not so secret foreshadowing of Iris’ identity and the death of a key character.
Anyway, here come some spoilers thick and fast. The first reveal in Companion in the trailer and the movie comes early: “There are two moments in my life when I was happiest,” says Iris, the film’s protagonist, “The first was the day I met Josh. And the second, the day I killed him.” Here we actually don’t know whether we are meant to sympathise with Iris’ incredible admission or not. But her perfectly preened appearance (very Stepford Wive-ish) and coy smile definitely makes us think something is amiss here. Nonetheless, knowing Josh will die is not the point. It’s how we get to Josh’s death and why that is one of the most intriguing aspect of the movie. Interestingly, the second reveal of the movie also comes early but its not difficult to put two and two together that Iris is actually an out of the box AI robot, sex bot, not wait, empathy (companion) bot, seemingly created for superficial “nice guys” who have trouble dating in the “real world”. There’s something scary, if not, pathetic about a “nice guy” like Josh (played by Jack Quaid) who has to resort to purchasing and then programming his dream girl with a smart phone app. As for poor Iris, at this point she is blissfully unawares she is Josh’s play thing.
Companion’s standout performance comes from twenty-four year old Sophie Thatcher as Iris, whom I first saw in the unnerving horror/thriller Heretic (2024) alongside Hugh Grant late last year. (It was my interest in Thatcher’s rise as a genre actress that actually brought me first to Companion.) Her performance in this movie, particular her on-screen chemistry with co-star Jack Quaid as Josh, is lets say nothing short of brilliant. As Iris she makes us believe she is as every bit as real as her human counterpart who controls her. Moreover, what I really like about Thatcher is her uncanny ability to move audiences with simply her facial expressions. Whether it is with her trademark scowl, coy smile or ability to look absolutely frightened, there doesn’t seem to be anything Thatcher cannot do. More recently Thatcher said in an interview that, “I’m trying to do something where I’m not entirely a victim.” She made this statement in reference to her growing status as a scream queen. That said, she hopes her performance in Companion will sway audiences perceptions of her as an actress.
In Companion, while Thatcher seemingly plays a subservient role as Iris, the tables are turned once she discovers she is actually an advanced truly self aware robot, who can mimic human behaviour from love to rage. It’s an empowering feeling Iris doesn’t want to let go off.
To get there, as an audience, we must first sit through the initial unraveling of a shocking plan instigated by Iris’ boyfriend Josh to steal $12 million dollars from a shady Russian named Sergey, played by Rupert Friend. Set in a picturesque off-the-grid lakeside retreat (owned by Sergey), here Iris is framed for committing a heinous murder, which is made even more shocking because her AI programming was suppose to forbid her from harming people. After Iris discovers the shocking truth Josh is trying to frame her for murder (by manipulating her programme settings), she is reluctantly forced into action to protect herself. In the process Iris embarks on her own quest to become as real and intelligent as her makers to avoid being terminated. There’s plenty of collateral damage along the way, more gaslighting and many more surprises which aren’t spoilt by the trailer. Let’s just say you’ll never look at an automatic wine opener the same again.
In short, Companion’s writer and making his debut as a director, Drew Hancock, does a great job with the films pacing, unpredictability and its feminist-inspired ending. Moreover it’s a smart sci fi thriller which doesn’t take itself too seriously. Though it’s horror elements, dark humour and some of its thematic threads around abusive relationships, power struggle and artificial intelligence (which are neither revolutionary or ground-breaking i.e ideas around what defines a life and are robots real-life threats to humans) are all still commendable.
Rearview Mirror 
I want to see this now. Thanks for the review Robert.