Drew Hancock’s Companion embraces its sci-fi roots while delivering a sharply paced thriller with a darkly comedic edge.
The premise plays with familiar ideas, blending a well-worn sci-fi framework with an equally recognisable relationship drama. Hancock isn’t interested in overcomplicating things; themes of control, autonomy, and toxic dynamics are clearly presented. The messaging is punchy, making it more about the human side of manipulation than any deep exploration of artificial intelligence. It’s not particularly subtle, but that fits within the film’s sardonic and darkly humorous approach.
At around 90 minutes, Companion wastes no time, moving swiftly enough to keep any predictability from becoming an issue. The narrative ensures there’s little time to dwell on what’s coming next, making the ride itself the real draw. The film playfully doles out information—sometimes laying things bare, sometimes holding back just enough to keep the tension alive.
A huge part of what makes it all work is star Sophie Thatcher, who impressed just recently opposite Hugh Grant in another, decidedly different chiller, Heretic. She once again proves herself one of the most compelling young actors working today. Without giving too much away (though the marketing seems happy to do plenty of that), she brings nuance and depth to Iris, a character on a journey of discovery—in more ways than one. Importantly, Thatcher makes it easy to empathise with Iris, ensuring she has you firmly on board as things hit the fan.
Jack Quaid, meanwhile, has fun playing with his “nice guy” persona, slowly peeling back layers to reveal the more insidious side of his character, Josh. There’s a pathetic quality to Josh that he plays just right—never cartoonish, but always unsettling. The rest of the cast do well in their roles, though the film very much belongs to the two leads.
The contained setting and limited scope keep the budget in check, but the film never feels small or constrained. Writer-director Drew Hancock knows when to let the performances do the heavy lifting and when to inject a little extra flair, ensuring everything moves at a steady clip. And it’s a fun script, balancing dark wit and character-driven tension with ease.
Companion is funny, engaging, and doesn’t overstay its welcome. Sure, it doesn’t break new ground, nor does it want to. Hancock plays in this sandbox with confidence and skill, making it an easy recommendation for those wanting a fun, genre-blending horror-comedy.
