Review: “Companion” is defined by its twist
Score: ★★★
Talking about “Companion” is nearly impossible without spoiling the movie. I know this to be true because the film’s own marketing spoils its first-act twist. If you enjoy horror-tinged thrillers, I recommend you stop reading and go see “Companion” - it’s nothing mind blowing, but it is a solid, if shallow, movie.
I give this warning because the twist is the best place to start when discussing “Companion,” director Drew Hancock’s debut feature. The film’s edge, its commentary, and what makes it worth watching all stem from its unexpected turn.
“Companion” begins with Iris (Sophie Thatcher) and Josh (Jack Quaid), a couple on vacation in a remote cabin in the woods alongside two other couples. This setup is maybe the most generic possible for a thriller, but this plainness is the point. It is soon revealed that Iris is an AI robot that Josh owns and controls, a robot designed to be his companion.
After Iris herself realizes this, she begins to take her revenge on Josh for his malicious exploitation of her life. Its allegory is immediately apparent, making a statement about the ways in which men manipulate and seek to control women while simultaneously raising interesting questions about artificial intelligence.
These questions are nothing new to film, and the ways in which they are explored are not particularly nuanced, but their presence enhances the very stock-standard thriller that lies beneath the commentary. None of the twists and turns are new or intriguing, but the audience has to reevaluate them in the science fiction context of the film.
This genericness is also combated by the pitch-perfect performances of Thatcher and Quaid, who continue to prove themselves to be rising stars. Thatcher, coming off the heels of a great performance in last year’s “Heretic”, does a great job of capturing genuine agony with a robotic sensibility. Her voice and movements feel calculated in an artificial way, but never feel forced. Quaid is also great at being an absolute scuzzball, taking on a slimy persona that similarly toes the line between comically evil and absolutely pathetic.
But at a certain point the magic of the lead duo and the intrigue of the premise does wear off. The film never quite reinvents itself after it’s first major twist, and the ending is the one that you are probably imagining just from reading the premise. This is not a damning problem, as the comedic moments keep the film moving quickly, but it does sour my overall impression of the film’s creativity.
This soured impression is also derived from the film’s presentation, which is often very stock-standard. There are a few moments that are interesting visually, but for the most part, the film’s look feels the same as everything else in theaters right now. This is not a problem, but rather a further example of what holds the film back. Everything surrounding the premise lacks the same sharpness.
If you did not heed my warning and have read to this point, I don’t know if I’d recommend “Companion” wholeheartedly. It’s got enough going on thematically and comedically to be a fun watch, but if you know what to expect, it’s not as interesting as it should be. Regardless, it’s good to see an original film in the theater from an exciting new filmmaker - even if the end result is a bit predictable.
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