Since the Companion trailer has already revealed that Sophie Thatcher’s character is indeed an emotional support robot, to put it lightly, there’s now a bit more free rein to describe what makes the film so unique and timely. Don’t worry, that little tidbit is revealed by the end of the first act. Much like the cunning commentary about women’s minds and bodies in recent films like Olivia Wilde’s Don’t Worry Darling and Zoe Kravitz’s Blink Twice, Companion serves a new take in the vein of those films but aimed squarely at tech bros who can’t get laid and would probably get an android to torture.
Jack Quaid plays Josh, a typical keyboard nice guy who bought Iris (Thatcher) for companionship. You don’t have to be a robot to relate to Iris, and we all know a Josh: the gaslighting, dismissive type who wants to look good in front of his friends. In an odd way Thatcher sorta resembles Grimes, the ex of that guy who somehow wasn’t doing the Nazi salute, and Zooey Deschanel circa 500 Days of Summer. It’s almost as if her model was based on the two, but more pliable—or at least Josh would think so. Iris wouldn’t know, however, as she’s unaware she’s a robot.
In another, more lighthearted movie, Thatcher and Quaid would lead a cute romantic comedy—that’s how good their chemistry is—but this is not that story. Companion speaks to the smart moves the actors have made with interesting and complex characters they’ve played in their careers thus far and we love that for them.
When Josh takes Iris on a weekend getaway with his friends, they stay at a cabin by a lake and it’s clear from the start that something is wrong; the more his human friends treat her differently, the more Iris begins to suspect something is up. Only Harvey Guillén’s Eli and his boyfriend Patrick (Lukas Gage) treat her kindly, but they have a good reason reason. Guillén turns in another fantastic supporting role here and his subplot with Gage is delightful and endearing.
However, Josh and the others are not exactly mindful of Iris’ perceived agency. The excellent Megan Suri (It Lives Inside) is a welcome sight, but her role here feels very diminished. Randomly, Rupert Friend also pops up as an “old man” (which honestly made us feel old) who’s also a rich creeper with nefarious intentions.
What’s smart about Companion is how effective the first act is—before the Manic Pixie Android’s self-awareness gets unleashed, the film gives a harrowing vision of the future where robot companions could be normalized. And it’s weird and uncomfortable to see play out, just how atrocious men can be with a woman whose autonomy they bought.
Overall writer-director Drew Hancock delivers a fun and clever Black Mirror-esque tale that rips on the sort of nice guys some dudes really think they are. Quaid effortlessly deploys romcom chops and turns his dorky buffoon character into something terrifying. The twists are there and while the film brings up a lot of ethical questions, most remain unanswered in order to serve Iris’ story, with Thatcher giving us a stellar final (robot) girl heroine in what’s ultimately a pretty straightforward story.
While there’s so much more that could have been explored, like Eli and Patrick’s journeys, Companion feels mostly like an extended Twilight Zone lite episode, with timely themes surrounding incel culture that are about to get way more obnoxious and evergreen.
Companion opens January 31.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
.png)
)
)
)
English (US) ·