Film Review: ‘Companion’ is a Really Clever Sci-Fi Thriller That Continually Generates Fun Twists

Any film that’s citing both Barbarian and The Notebook in its advertising is going to have my attention. So, I went into Companion expecting something unusual, which, lo and behold, I certainly got. Luckily, there’s more here than just some surprises, as we end up with a funny, gory, and unique genre tale. The less you know about the plot, the better, so I’ll tread very lightly here in this review, but if you’re looking for something to see this weekend, here is a terrific option.

Companion mixes genres well, as there’s romanic comedy aspects at play, while horror and science fiction dance around as well. It all merges together pretty well, especially as focuses shift throughout the flick. The element of surprises benefits this movie, too, but it’s not wholly reliant on it. Not knowing the twist ahead of time is good in the sense that the filmmaker doesn’t want you to, but if you do find out, your enjoyment won’t be impacted. Still, go in as blind as you can. Trust me.

As promised, I’ll keep things pretty vague here. A meet cute establishes the loving relationship between Iris (Sophie Thatcher) and Josh (Jack Quaid). Then, they’re headed to a weekend trip with Josh’s friends. What was supposed to be a little cabin in the woods turns out to be a sprawling estate belonging to Sergey (Rupert Friend), the new flame of Josh’s close friend Kat (Megan Suri). She doesn’t seem to like Iris, which the latter is aware of, but the reasons appear cagey.

Also on hand are partners Eli (Harvey Guillén) and Patrick (Lukas Gage). The first day/night go fine, even if Iris appears on edge, Sergey can come off a little creepy, and there’s an overall air of tension. Then, the next day, Iris is outside when Sergey makes a move on her. Arriving back at the house covered in his blood, everyone else realizes that something very bad has happened. However, exactly what, as well as why, are not what you’d expect. This is where the second half of the film kicks in, which I wouldn’t dream of spoiling. I will just say, here is where the movie showcases some really fun ideas, so just look forward to that.

Sophie Thatcher is excellent in a surprisingly demanding role. She continually evolves throughout the film, lending a ton of humanity and complexity to the part. Jack Quaid also has layers to his role in a way that cleverly dovetails with Thatcher’s. Harvey Guillén provides some fun comic relief, while Lukas Gage gets to do more by the end than you’re expecting. Megan Suri leaves a bit less of an impression, but that’s by design for the character and not a critique of her performance. Rupert Friend goes big with his wealthy Russian in a way no one else is, so he stands out, to be sure. Your mileage may vary on the effectiveness, but he’s certainly not boring. The small cast also includes Woody Fu, Younus Howlader, Marc Menchaca, and Jaboukie Young-White, but Thatcher is the shining star.

Writer/director Drew Hancock makes a really impressive debut here, mixing genres like a veteran. There’s a dark comedy at the core of this film that he never loses sight of, even when he’s leaning into it also being a sci-fi tale or a psychological thriller. Hancock sees the entirety of Companion throughout and always keeps the audience along for the ride, whether they know what he’s up to or not. It’s a clever construct, one that he pulls off quite well, building out a world with a ton to get caught up in. Kudos.

Companion is a nifty little flick. Again, going in as blind to the surprises and twists of the film as possible will lead to even more fun, but the movie works regardless of that. It’s a calling card for Hancock, a showcase for Thatcher, and a high quality genre offering. As an early year release especially, this is truly a cut above.

SCORE: ★★★1/2