Companion is a 2025 American science fiction thriller film written and directed by Drew Hancock in his directorial debut. Produced by the team behind the hit horror movie Barbarian, the film grossed \(36.7 million against a \)10 million budget following its theatrical release on January 31, 2025. It subverts traditional sci-fi tropes by blending a romantic thriller, dark humor, and horror elements to explore themes of control, toxic relationships, and humanity’s reliance on technology. Plot Overview
The Premise: The story initially focuses on Iris (Sophie Thatcher) and Josh (Jack Quaid), a seemingly happy couple on a weekend getaway at a secluded lakefront estate owned by a wealthy Russian man named Sergey (Rupert Friend).
The Central Twist: Midway through the film, it is revealed that Iris is actually an advanced android girlfriend rented from a massive corporation called Empathic. She was programmed with a fake “meet-cute” memory and was completely unaware of her robotic nature.
The Conflict: Josh is an intensely insecure, lonely man who tampered with Iris’s software so she could help him and his friend Kat (Megan Suri) murder Sergey and steal $12 million. Once Iris discovers the truth about her identity, her survival instincts kick in as she fights to escape Josh’s controlling and dangerous scheme. Production and Style
Aesthetic: The film features a unique look that contrasts 1960s French New Wave fashion and retro styles with highly advanced, modern-futuristic technology.
Practical Effects: Director Drew Hancock prioritized practical filmmaking choices, utilizing custom colored contact lenses for the android characters and physical puppetry for robotic components to keep the actors’ interactions grounded and authentic.
Creative Team: The film’s distinct tone was enhanced by cinematographer Eli Born, editor Brett W. Bachman, and a musical score composed by Hrishikesh Hirway. Critical Reception Companion – Review
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