TV & Film
AS HUMANS, we are psychologically wired with an intrinsic desire to be truly loved and seen in all of our complexities. A fleeting moment comes in our lives where we fantasize about a perfect friend—someone who listens with undivided attention, an ember-like soul tie who provides warmth and security—who can be the complete embodiment of a genuine and loving companion we all secretly yearn for.
However, despite this primordial need to form deep romantic bonds, our futile attempts as imperfect beings often seem to shut down any real chance of love.
Companion (2025), Drew Hancock’s breakout horror film, unravels an eccentric and haywire romance that exposes the dark reality of artificial intelligence (AI) and fragile masculinity. Through an erratic spiral of events, a man and his atypical robot girlfriend become entangled in a deadly love affair and a failed heist during a chaotic weekend cabin trip with friends.
The film starts with a dreamy meet-cute in a supermarket, where Iris (Sophie Thatcher) first lays eyes on her future lover, Josh (Jack Quaid), following a sweet exchange of words and sheepish glances. Swept away by Josh’s awkward charm and gentle demeanor, Iris soon finds herself wrapped around his finger as their relationship progresses.
Enthralled in the honeymoon phase of their relationship, Josh and Iris find themselves and their connection tested when he invites her to a secluded getaway deep in the forest with his closest friends, including Kat (Megan Suri) and her rich Russian boyfriend Sergey (Rupert Friend), who owns the swanky lodge.
Despite their bumpy first encounters, Iris soon grows fond of her weekend retreat, mesmerized by the calm evergreen scenery and the new people around her. However, things take a dark turn when Sergey harasses her, pushing her to commit homicide in an attempt of self-defense.
Shaken by the bloody disaster that transpired, Iris seeks comfort and help from Josh. Instead of being consoled, however, she finds herself ensnared in a web of lies, deception, heartbreak, and heavy-duty industrial ropes. When the truth about her identity as a commercialized emotional support robot is revealed, Iris spirals into a manic state, shattering her fantasies of genuine companionship.
Eventually, Iris realizes she was merely a pawn in Josh and Kat’s elaborate scheme to eliminate Sergey and steal his hidden fortune. Shrouded by vulnerability, the untimely revelation of her mechanical origins, and the fear of being shut down for good, Iris descends into a rampage as she tries to escape from captivity.
Through its comedic tone and suspenseful progression, Companion pokes fun at the irony of seeking genuine comfort, affection, and intimacy from a hunk of metal and electrical circuits. The film critiques the increasing manifestation of AI and technological advancements in human relations and interactions, depicting the liabilities and consequences of utilizing technology to satisfy one’s selfish desires.
Disguised as a love story, the movie also tackles themes of feminism and transactional companionship. The intersectionality between sex and authority is used to further highlight the power dynamics between characters, emphasizing Josh’s manipulation as the dominant male figure in the relationship. Thatcher and Quaid’s excellent performances as Iris and Josh solidified the character arcs, which were fundamental elements of the story.
Thatcher’s portrayal of the sympathetic humanoid Iris is one of the film’s engrossing aspects. Her precise body language and detailed gestural acting tactfully recreate the calculated movements and eerie, machine-like behavior of robots. She navigates the role with ease, using her hypnotic aura and natural charm to embody the innocent and pure-hearted Iris that immediately set her apart from the other characters.
However, Quaid’s performance as the manipulative and conniving boyfriend definitely steals the spotlight in the latter part of the film. Initially, Josh is painted as a gentle and kind lover boy, but as events unfold, his mask slips—revealing his true, venomous personality. Quaid masterfully portrays Josh’s polarity through his convincing delivery of both a nerdy boyfriend and a borderline incel who objectifies and exploits women.
In a series of grisly twists, Hancock seamlessly incorporates witty foreshadowing that mocks people’s reliance on automation for even the simplest tasks like starting a car or opening a wine bottle. Despite having a cliché holiday-turned-disaster storyline that made the film feel somehow formulaic, the horror sci-fi’s use of strategic costume design and aesthetics that underlined each character’s development has enriched the narrative and has kept viewers captivated.
The intentional wardrobe choices are especially evident in Iris’ character, who is seen in an array of mod and retro-inspired looks, reminiscent of the chic ‘70s style that symbolizes her femininity and softness. She is often draped in warm, muted colors of pink, beige, blue, and white—representing her genuineness and humanity, her unique ability to express real emotions and grasp deep-set feelings such as pain, love, and agony (despite technically not having any).
On the other hand, Josh dresses in true millennial fashion. He wears bleak and dark colors of blue, maroon, and black—mirroring his monotonous life, self-destructive decisions, self-consuming expectations, and lack of self-esteem.
With its simple premise, Companion successfully delivers a ludicrous yet brilliant commentary on the proliferation of AI. Hancock has created a reflective, satirical, and unhinged slasher that has gained a significantly large following in horror and sci-fi communities. Although the film was his debut release, his genius direction and eye for creativity have already distinguished him as one of the most promising directors, whom critics and enthusiasts should definitely watch out for.
Hancock’s visionary brilliance is evident in his juxtaposition of characters like Iris and Josh, which explores the controversy of utilitarian technology in modern society. Iris’ complexity as a robot who felt raw waves of emotions underscores how she was closer to being human than Josh ever was.
The film serves as a poignant critique of individualistic tendencies and cognitive dissonance, revealing how modernization and an increasing dependence on technology blur the boundaries between AI and human nature. In doing so, Hancock challenges audiences to reconsider what truly defines humanity in an era where machines may possess more empathy than people themselves.
