FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://fandomwire.com/companion-review/ "Companion may not reinvent the wheel within its genre, but the way Drew Hancock takes a familiar concept and infuses it with a personal touch and technically impressive execution results in an incredibly captivating viewing - especially for those who manage to avoid the criminally revealing trailers. The blend of tones, the unsettling atmosphere, and the exploration of complex themes like abuse, love, and control elevate this horror flick beyond cheap jump scares, leaving a lasting emotional and narrative impact that lingers well past the credits. With a powerhouse performance from Sophie Thatcher anchoring it all, this psychological thriller - sprinkled with comedy, romance, and even sci-fi elements - stands out as one of the year's first big surprises. I highly recommend watching it in theaters, as blind as possible." Rating: B

<em>'Companion'</em> is great! I was actually spoiled on the general gist of this due to the trailers, which I didn't even seek out but despite ignoring them pre-other flicks I still managed to catch what this was about. Happily, it didn't matter as the film lets the cat out fairly quickly. I thought the aforementioned was going to be an issue, even though it is only a 90 minute movie I didn't think at that moment that it was going to have enough in the tank to make the overall movie enjoyable. I was wrong! It's a blast all the way through, there's a pleasant pace to it all. Sophie Thatcher is brilliant, her showing is impressive and very convincing. That blood-soaked look is class. The rest of the cast aren't on Thatcher's level but are still positive parts of this film, namely Jack Quaid and Lukas Gage. Thanks to the short run time, this does fly by. Top film! I saw it on the big screen as part of a double bill of sorts with <em>'Hard Truths'</em>. This was the second one and it's a barrel of laughs compared to that Mike Leigh picture. Two films that I would highly recommend, all the same.

We first meet "Iris" (Sophie Thatcher) and boyfriend "Josh" (Jack Quaid) as they take his self-drive car into the wilderness to meet with some of his friends at the home of millionaire "Sergey" (a delightfully over-the-top Rupert Friend). She's not at all keen on his pals. She thinks they look down on her. He tries to reassure her and when they arrive we are introduced to "Kat" (Megan Suri) and to loved-up "Eli" (Harvey Guillén) and "Patrick" (Lukas Gage). She was right, they don't much like her and at this point (for me, anyway) the penny started to drop. The married "Sergey" is supposed to be dating "Kat" but he's obviously a bit of a Lothario who tries it on with "Iris" and, well let's just say he probably wished he hadn't. Thing is, though, there's an whole load of manipulation going on here and it doesn't take "Iris", or us, long to realise that nothing is really as it seems. There's a fun chemistry on display here between Thatcher and Quaid and auteur Drew Hancock has crafted an entertaining scenario that avoids the standard cabin-in-the-woods style horror feature. This is a darkly comedic "careful what you've wished for" style of drama that has some decent menace intermingled with a few shades of Dan Stevens in "Cuckoo" from last year, too. For me, though, it's the dentally perfect Gage who steals the show proving the very point that true love isn't just skin deep and not everyone keeps their brains in their head! Amidst a tired and formulaic genre, this offers a refreshing change well worth a watch.

Companion (2025) is another entry in the ever-growing “AI gone wrong” genre, but it does try to shake things up a little. The story is decent, keeping things interesting without dragging too much, though it still hits a lot of familiar beats. The twist on how the AI becomes a problem is a nice touch, but in the end, it doesn’t change the usual outcome. The climax is predictable, but it fits the film, so it doesn’t feel out of place. Visually, the movie looks great. The locations are stunning, and the cinematography really helps set the mood. The directing keeps things moving at a good pace without overcomplicating anything. Sophie Thatcher is easily the standout here, she gives a great performance and makes her character feel real. The rest of the cast is fine, but she’s the one who really carries the film. The script is simple but works for what the movie is trying to do. Some of the dialogue could have been sharper, but nothing feels awkward or forced. The music choice is solid, adding to the atmosphere without being too much. Overall, Companion is a fun watch if you like AI thrillers, but it doesn’t bring anything wildly new to the table. If you liked M3GAN, you’ll probably enjoy this too.

At first glance, “Companion” might seem like just another weekend-getaway-gone-wrong horror flick, but don’t be fooled. Writer / director Drew Hancock has crafted an incredibly fun and intense story that blends slasher thrills, sci-fi existentialism, and a sharp feminist edge into a blood-soaked ride that’s as entertaining as it is thought-provoking. This is so much more than an average popcorn movie, and it’s one of my favorites so far this year. The film follows Iris (Sophie Thatcher), a seemingly ordinary woman who joins her boyfriend Josh (Jack Quaid) and his friends (Megan Suri, Lukas Gage, and Harvey Guillén) on a retreat to a remote cabin. The weekend takes a dark turn when secrets unravel, especially when it’s revealed that Iris is not what she seems. Without diving into spoilers, the film takes its time peeling back the layers of its characters, leading to a series of shocking revelations and a gloriously chaotic finale that fully embraces its campy, over-the-top nature. The cast delivers tenfold, with terrific lead performances from Thatcher and Quaid. She carries the film with a mix of vulnerability, strength, and eerie unpredictability, while he seems like a natural with his turn as a less-than-perfect partner. The supporting characters are well-written too, from a smarmy Russian host (Rupert Friend) to Josh’s loyal friends who get caught up in the chaos. While the story can feel familiar at times, it still manages to be wildly unpredictable. Hancock makes excellent use of the secluded setting to build suspense before unleashing the bloodbath, and he finds a good balance between comedy and horror. Beneath the fun and carnage are some serious ideas about artificial intelligence, misogyny, toxic love, and the nature of autonomy. The film critiques the way women are conditioned to cater to harmful partners, explores the illusion of “perfect” relationships, and questions what it truly means to be human. The script handles these themes with thoughtful wit, balancing tension, dark humor, and a sense of empowerment that becomes more apparent as the story unfolds. You could easily and mindlessly enjoy this film at face value, but moviegoers wanting a bit more will not be disappointed. Serving up a thrilling mix of horror, sci-fi, and feminist commentary, “Companion” is an absolute blast. Bloody, bold, and packed with fun twists, this story of power and identity is wrapped in a fun, violent, and gloriously campy package. By: Louisa Moore / SCREEN ZEALOTS