COMPANION
US, 2025, 97 minutes, Colour.
Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, Lucas Gage, Megan Suri, Harvey Guillen, Rupert Friend, Mark Mancaka.
Directed by Drew Hancock.
At the end of watching Companion, this reviewer was very happy to have had no knowledge at all of what the film was about or what it was like. And, checking on the number of reviews as well as strong opinions from bloggers, most were pleased that they went in to see Companion cold and found it an engrossing and unexpected experience.
Which, possibly, is where a review of Companion should end. But, it is probably fair to say that in the first few minutes, we are introduced to a very interesting character, Iris, played by Sophie Thatcher (Heretic, Yellowjacket) in a supermarket romantic comic episode involving the collapsing of the oranges shelf, then a startling remark by Iris, the introduction of the tall handsome, Josh, Jack Quaid. Then, off we go…
Sophie Thatcher is very effective in keeping pace with the various facets of her character.
One all the best aspects of Companion is that we do not know where the film is leading. And, there are quite a number of surprises in the screenplay, some misleading, some turns, some twists as the plot unrolls, unravels. And, we are not really sure until the final credits.
There are some good roles from the supporting cast, especially Lucas Gage and Harvey Guillen, sometimes comic, sometimes serious, and nasty Russian businessmen played by Rupert Friend in heavy moustachioed disguise.
In fact, there is quite a lot to think about as we watch Companion.
And, compliments to writer-director, Drew Hancock, who keeps control of his screenplay as well as of the responses of the audience.
- The title, the focus on Iris, her relationship with Josh, the revelation that she was a robot, her construction, the instructions for her behaviour, companion, sexual partner? The ironies of the complications and the confrontations?
- The American setting, the opening in the supermarket, the apartment, out in the open road, the scenery, the forests? The holiday house and the interiors? The chases through the forest? The musical score?
- The romantic comedy tone of the opening, Iris, shopping, doll -like, Josh, the encounter with the fallen oranges, iris voice-over, the attraction, and the intimation that she would kill Josh?
- The situation, driving to the house, Sergey and his Russian background, the owner, luxury? The presence of Kat and her surly attitudes? Patrick and Eli and the relationship? Sociable, the pool, her assent, her clothes, the drinking, the dancing? The morning after? Josh urging Iris to go out to the pool, meeting Sergey? His approach, her warning him off, her having the knife, killing him? And the audience gradually realising that this was the setup?
- The revelation of the project, Josh and Kat, the company, the robots, the specifications, the plan to rob Sergey, the murder, using Eli? And the revelation that Patrick was also a robot?
- Audience response to Iris, her personality, her robot personality, her love for Josh, unable to lie, the background of the company, the interviews, Sid and Teddy and the later interventions?
- Josh, the revelation, his personality, greed, his inferiority, motivations, Kat and her personality and motivations? The emotional complications, Eli and Patrick and their contribution?
- Iris, the situation, her being able to be turned on and off, yet the innate shrewdness of the programming, the confrontations, the drama in the house, her escape, the pursuit through the forests, the hiding, eluding the pursuers?
- The pursuit, Josh in the forest, and Patrick, being able to turn Patrick on and off, Josh and the reprogramming of Patrick? Patrick as a vengeful robot, Eli and his being shot, the final relationship with Patrick?
- The complications and the pursuit, iris using her wits, the return to the house, the contact with the company, bringing the replacement, Teddy and the pursuit?
- The transition from science-fiction to the slasher mode, the role of Patrick, his different personality, manipulated, vengeful? And the final confrontation with Josh and his defeat?
- Audiences enjoying the thriller, slasher aspects? The interest in the science fiction themes, robotics, programming, and the focus on self-indulgent men, their inadequacies, needing programmed robots for their satisfaction and gratification? And the defeat by female ingenuity, and by the programming?
