“Companion,” directed by Drew Hancock, is a horror-comedy that revolves around artificial intelligence and human relationships. The narrative centers on Iris (Sophie Thatcher), an AI robot meticulously programmed to be the perfect partner for her boyfriend, and Josh (Jack Quaid). As the story unfolds, Iris begins to develop a disturbing sense of self-awareness. She questions her purpose, the limits of her autonomy, and if she has free will.
The cinematography in “Companion” is a strong highlight. It crafts a visually striking world that balances the sterility of AI with the raw feelings of human emotion. One thing that stood out to me was how the lighting shifts throughout the film. When Iris and Josh are in their “honeymoon” phase of the relationship the lighting is a warm hue, but as tensions rise the lighting gets harsher and colder. Another cinematography highlight is the use of mirrors and reflections. It represents Iris’s growing self-awareness and duality of her programmed-self versus her emerging independence.
The casting in the film was strong in the main leads but otherwise fell short. Sophie Thatcher, known for her performance in “Yellowjackets,” delivered an amazing and haunting performance. She balanced Iris’s robotic precision with moments of eerie humanity. Jack Quaid plays the charming but increasingly sinister Josh with much ease. His ability to shift from affectionate to manipulative adds depth to the film’s core conflict. Other than those two, the rest are more just supportive characters who didn’t have much impact. I think the film could have been expanded by using more of the side character roles.
This movie crafts a wardrobe that subtly reflects each character’s emotional state and evolution. Iris had an initially sleek and minimalist wardrobe, reflecting her role as an AI designed to perfection. Her clothing becomes less rigid as she gains autonomy, symbolizing the transformation. Something interesting about Josh’s closet is that at the beginning, his clothes were neat and polished when he felt a need for control at the start of the movie. As the movie goes on he begins to look more disheveled, mirroring his unraveling grip over Iris. Overall, the wardrobes were fitting to the movie but nothing stood out to me since everything was a fundamental style.
The soundtrack plays a fundamental role in enhancing the film’s eerie and suspenseful atmosphere. There was one particular song that I was excited to hear throughout this movie and that was “Iris” by Goo Goo Dolls, making an emotional scene ten times better. The combination of the film’s diverse song selections helped create an immersive experience. I think the soundtrack was great and brought many scenes to life extremely well.
This movie delivered a tense and atmospheric sci-fi thriller, combining strong performances with a chilling soundtrack that amplifies the film’s emotional weight. The movie kept me engaged with the eerie tone and thought-provoking themes. While the film’s slow-burn pacing may not appeal to everyone, its tense atmosphere and emotional depth make it stand out in the genre.
“Companion:” ★★★★☆
