Companion

Rating 6/10

I rarely watch trailers. So I’m glad I went into Companion completely blind. This is a narrative designed to upend your exceptions with a few surprises. The ride is so much better when you have no idea what’s coming. The first teaser trailer is fine, but after I saw the film, I viewed the second trailer out of curiosity about what it would reveal. To my dismay, it spoiled the biggest reveal of the entire movie. Granted, it happens early on, and there are other twists, but the revelation significantly adds to the enjoyment of the picture. Avoid spoilers at all costs. Rest assured, I will respect this, dear reader.

Iris (Sophie Thatcher) and her boyfriend Josh (Jack Quaid) join their friends Kat (Megan Suri), Eli (Harvey Guillén), and Patrick (Lukas Gage) for a weekend at a remote lakeside cabin owned by billionaire Sergey (Rupert Friend). What starts as a carefree getaway quickly spirals into chaos when Sergey forces himself on Iris. She retaliates in self-defense, triggering a violent chain of events and shocking revelations. As the tensions mount, the group is forced to confront the true nature of their connections. Blending horror with dark comedy. Companion examines the impact of power and abuse on personal autonomy within toxic relationships.

Companion marks the feature directorial debut of writer Drew Hancock (TV series Suburgatory & My Dead Ex) and is co-produced by Zach Cregger. The latter directed the critically acclaimed Barbarian, a chronicle known for its curveballs and unconventional storytelling. With this endeavor, Hancock and Cregger continue to push boundaries, delivering a thriller that keeps audiences apprehensive while exploring control, manipulation, and survival. Yet, for all its heady ideas, these themes are a little more than a stylish overlay on what is, at its core, a slasher movie. Still, its blend of bad romance and psychological horror with a touch of sci-fi gives it a clever edge. The screenplay plays with this in smart and amusing ways that compel the audience to see what will happen next. These delightful touches boost its DNA beyond a typical genre piece into a tale that is undeniably entertaining.

02-04-25