Companion follows a couple on a weekend getaway with friends at a remote cabin, which unravels into chaos.
Companion is immediately charming. It quickly establishes a likable group of characters, though it’s obvious that not everything is as it seems. The performances are all-around great. Sophia Thatcher as Iris and Jack Quaid as Josh, have phenomenal chemistry that is evident from the opening scene alone.
Their energy continues to bounce off of each other even as the flick becomes more chaotic. It’s not only them, as Megan Suri, Lukas Gage, Harvey Guillén and Rupert Friend all excel in their roles as well.
The film provides interesting dialogue on artificial intelligence and technology in general. It’s particularly intriguing to examine the commercialization of this technology, and how it could be disastrous when delivered to average consumers.
Alongside the ethical concerns that arise regarding AI, Companion also explores the weaponization of love. While the AI themes are very on-the-nose, the discussion of toxic relationships and societal norms will be relatable to many.
While this is labeled as a horror movie, I actually found myself laughing more than anything. The humor is on-point in Companion, delivering a consistent array of successful jokes throughout the runtime. This is not only anchored by the performances, but also perfect comedic timing regarding when specific moments occur.
The scares may be limited, but Companion goes all-out on the gore in moments. There are creative practical effects on display, alongside several unique kills. This, mixed with an adrenaline-inducing score, cultivates some tension-filled sequences.
Despite it only being 97 minutes long, Companion suffers from slight pacing issues. This is partly due to an array of plot holes and the fairly predictable nature of the story. While the central premise is kept under wraps for a small portion of the first act, the film falls somewhat flat after the “big” reveal.
There are several twists and turns in the back-half of the movie, but none were overly surprising. This eliminated the sense of suspense, and hindered my viewing experience, particularly in the second act.
Companion isn’t a horror movie… and it doesn’t need to be. This is a perfectly acceptable satirical thriller that provides plenty of laughs alongside a few gory moments. It doesn’t ever go as big as it should, but still works as an isolated examination of artificial intelligence and love.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
