· Alice Darla · Lifestyle
Companion Review: A Tech Thriller That’s More Than Meets the Eye
If Companion proves anything, it’s that the AI thriller genre still has room for surprises.
Written and directed by Drew Hancock, Companion (film) 2025 blends sci-fi, suspense, and just enough dark comedy to keep things interesting.
But beyond the thrills, Companion toys with deeper ideas about control, programming, and the very nature of human emotion.
A Familiar Setup With a Sharp Edge
The cast of Companion (film) is led by Sophie Thatcher (Yellowjackets, Heretic), who plays Iris, a companion robot who seems to be just another synthetic partner, until a violent moment upends everything.
She finds herself on the run after an act of self-defense turns into a full-blown chase.
Her human counterpart, played by Jack Quaid, starts out as the charming boyfriend type, but as the story unfolds, his control over Iris feels more ominous.
From the beginning, Companion doesn’t shy away from its influences. There are echoes of The Stepford Wives, Ex Machina, and even Dollhouse in its approach to AI autonomy.
The film teases a slow build-up to its big reveal, but let’s be honest—the trailer already gave it away.
The marketing team decided to lean into the film’s biggest twist, showing outright that Iris is a robot.
While that might have killed some of the mystery, it doesn’t ruin the film.
Instead of hinging on the surprise, Companion thrives on how that knowledge plays out—turning what could have been a simple reveal into a deeper exploration of identity and control.
Is Companion Really a Horror Film?
While marketed as a horror-thriller, Companion doesn’t fully embrace the horror genre in a conventional way.
There are tense moments, unsettling interactions, and bursts of violence, but it leans more into psychological thriller territory than straight-up horror.
The real fear comes from its ideas rather than its imagery—more Black Mirror than The Conjuring.
That said, fans of sci-fi horror will still find plenty to enjoy, especially in how the film gradually shifts its tone from eerie suspense to outright survival thriller.
Beyond the Chase: The AI Allegory
While Companion delivers solid tension and a compelling game of cat and mouse, there’s something deeper at play.
The film subtly questions whether AI is truly different from human beings when it comes to emotional attachment and decision-making.
If everything we feel is just the result of our own “programming,” does it really make us any different from an advanced machine?
This theme isn’t new to sci-fi, but Companion injects it with a fresh perspective.
Iris isn’t just fighting to survive; she’s fighting against her pre-coded limitations.
The film doesn’t turn into a lecture on ethics, though—it keeps things grounded by balancing the philosophical elements with moments of dry humour and bursts of action.
Sophie Thatcher Carries the Film
A great thriller needs a strong lead, and Thatcher delivers. Her performance in Companion (film) 2025 solidifies her as a rising star in the sci-fi and thriller genres.
Without relying on heavy exposition, she conveys a depth of emotion that makes Iris feel more real than some of the human characters.
Her ability to shift between robotic detachment and moments of raw intensity is what makes Companion work.
Jack Quaid is solid in his role, bringing just the right level of smarm to his character, while What We Do in the Shadowsstar Harvey Guillén adds unexpected comic relief.
The supporting cast plays into the film’s eerie undertones, particularly as Iris’s presence among them grows more unsettling.
More Than Just a Feminist Revenge Story
One of Companion’s smartest moves is that it doesn’t box itself into a single interpretation.
Yes, there’s commentary on toxic relationships and control, but the film doesn’t rely solely on that.
It’s a sci-fi thriller first, with a few sharp observations baked in rather than shoved to the forefront.
For audiences who just want a tense, unpredictable ride, Companion delivers.
For those who enjoy picking apart deeper meanings, there’s plenty to dissect.
It’s rare for a film to juggle both successfully, but this one pulls it off.
Final Verdict: Worth the Watch?
Companion is a sleek, entertaining thriller that knows how to keep its audience guessing.
It may not reinvent the genre, but it refines it in ways that make it feel fresh.
Between its sharp direction, eerie atmosphere, and Sophie Thatcher’s standout performance, it’s an easy recommendation.
If you’re a fan of smart sci-fi with a touch of dark humour, Companion deserves a spot on your watchlist.
Just don’t expect it to give you all the answers—it’s more fun when it leaves you questioning.
