Sophie Thatcher is an android named Iris, who's specifically designed to fulfill her master's emotional and sexual needs in writer-director Drew Hancock's sci-fi/ slasher hybrid "Companion". As the title suggests, Iris is a loyal companion to her boyfriend/master Josh (Jack Quaid). She accompanies him to what seems to be an innocent weekend in a cabin with friends. What Iris doesn't realize is exactly what kind of weekend is really going to unfold. Needless to say, dead bodies will be involved along with various plot twists.
This time of year usually sees either Oscar contenders expanding nationwide ("The Brutalist") or dumpster fires being shoved out and forgotten about ("Back in Action"). Considering this distinction, "Companion" is a pretty good entry to come from this time of the year. Those who aren't exactly interested in the slasher genre can still find some cool little tidbits with this film's sci-fi elements and lore. Through solid world building, we're able to understand the unique rules that human androids have to follow and the tools used to control them.
For example, they can change their physical characteristics on the spot (eye color, vocal patterns, and so on). I would've liked even more scenes showcasing this morphing on the spot, but I still liked what we got. There are also settings for characteristics such as intelligence and aggression that are crucial to later plot developments. Modifications for compliance of various laws and rules are hinted at, namely the aggression level not going over a certain percentage. I felt the strongest elements with "Companion" were found in creatively exploring this scenario.
Many unknown actors make up the bulk of this cast, and to their credit, no one's bad here. Every character has clear and distinct desires and personality traits. At the center if it all, Thatcher as Iris has to manage the task of being both a convincing android and a relatable human. On the whole, the film succeeds at having you root for Iris. That's impressive considering the cards she's been dealt and how she'd usually be treated as a villain in other films of this ilk. The film flows along at a firm pace thanks to Hancock's execution of his own vision.
My main problem with "Companion" comes within the climax, which suffers from a similar flaw found in "Carry-On" a month or two ago. Our protagonist and antagonist both seem to lose their brains during the climax. The antagonist delivers a sermon that no one in their right mind will give a crap to listen to. Our hero meanwhile stalls too long for no reason in solving the problem and finishing everything off. I hate scenes in which their sole existence is to adhere to a formula, even when it doesn't mix with what came before.
At this point, it's safe to call "Companion" another welcome surprise at the start of the year, just like "One of Them Days". Fans of both sci-fi and slasher film genres will find plenty of elements here to satisfy them. Yes, we've had films of varying genres exploring what I'd be like having a robot or programmed device for a love interest before, with "Her" serving as one such example. However, "Companion" rewards its viewers with interesting new elements to a still relevant topic of being overly infatuated with technology.
Final Verdict: 7.5/10
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