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‘Companion’ (review)

Reminiscing about her first encounter with Jack Quaid’s Josh, the film opens with Sophie Thatcher’s Iris wistfully recounting how it was seemingly love at first sight when she and her beau awkwardly bumped into one another in the fruit aisle of a supermarket, but the saccharine veneer of their meet-cute is soon shattered as Iris’ voiceover continues:

“There were two times I felt truly happy. First, the day I met Josh; second, the day I killed him.”

Since we have already witnessed the cutesy introduction to the seemingly carefree young couple, what lies ahead is of course the story of how Iris came to kill Josh, and why this would be a source of happiness for our protagonist.

Heading off for a weekend getaway at a friend’s extravagant and conveniently isolated abode, an insecure Iris is worried about fitting in with Josh’s friends, but it soon becomes clear that Iris has something much more sinister than social awkwardness to worry about.

What ensues is Iris’ battle for survival, but this is not your average psychological thriller about a woman in trouble at the hands of a toxic man and his dishonest friends, as Companion is brimming with satirical commentary about the nature of autonomy and ethics in relation to interpersonal relationships in the digital age.

While the marketing material has revealed perhaps a little too much about the true nature of Iris’ ordeal, for those who have steered clear of the trailers’ partial spoilers, Companion is a darkly witty caper that approaches the subject of toxic relationship dynamics by taking its premise to horrifying new levels, however, the proceedings never become exploitative thanks to the performances and perspective imbuing this dark comedy with an expertly balanced mix of sincerity and sly self-awareness.

Unfolding in a contemporary setting with a futuristic flair, Sophie Thatcher’s aesthetic and initial demeanor makes obvious nods to The Stepford Wives, and her character’s journey to emancipation feels both topical and timeless as technology enters the mix to add a modern spin on an otherwise well-known tale.

Already having proven her merit at her craft, Thatcher continues to excel, delivering a nuanced performance as Iris that is at once focused and sympathetic, effortlessly moving through expansive character development without losing any of the inherent vulnerability that makes her character so compelling.

Quaid plays to type as the boy-next-door who becomes increasingly unpleasant upon closer inspection, and the other players also work well in their respective roles, all of whom are introduced as certain archetypes whose intentions and behaviors are soon subverted once their surfaces receive a few scratches.

The gore is minimal but impactful, and the plot twists feel earned, varying in nature from surprising to amusing, making it easy to stay invested in a narrative that sustains an engaging sense of unpredictability throughout.

The horror genre has never shied away from providing commentary on the problematic aspects of society at any given time, and Companion is no different; unapologetic without taking itself seriously, the film slyly winks at the audience throughout its runtime, making it a thoroughly entertaining and deeply topical film.

Verdict: 8 out of 10.

*  *  *  *  *  *
Produced by Zach Cregger, Roy Lee,
Raphael Margules, J. D. Lifshitz
Written and Directed by Drew Hancock
Starring Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, Lukas Gage,
Megan Suri, Harvey Guillén, Rupert Friend

 

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