Boulderlight Pictures’ Companion is one of those movies that I have experienced best without prior knowledge. The first trailer provided just enough information: a young, attractive girl, played by Sophie Thatcher, meets a charming young man, portrayed by Jack Quaid, at a supermarket. Later, we see the couple seated at opposite ends of a long dinner table, but Thatcher’s character has an arm on fire. We also learn that Zach Cregger, the creative mind behind Barbarian, produced the film — another movie that is best enjoyed with minimal plot details revealed.
I’m all in; don’t tell me anything more!
However, the marketing didn’t stop there. The second trailer revealed one of the film’s significant twists, which perplexed me, given that writer-director Drew Hancock mentioned in an interview that he didn’t want this to be a “twist” film. I can see his point because with twisty films from twist masters like M. Night Shyamalan, part of the fun is figuring out the twist during the movie’s runtime.
Hancock believes this kind of anticipation disrupts the viewing experience, and I can respect that perspective. Still, knowing the main plot point didn’t ruin my enjoyment of Companion, as the film has several unexpected turns. However, I can’t help but wonder how my reaction would have been had I gone in without prior knowledge of the key elements.
All right, I’m done complaining. But I think I’m also done watching trailers!
Companion takes place at a luxurious cabin in the middle of nowhere. Josh (Quaid) and his girlfriend, Iris (Thatcher), are going on a weekend getaway with some of Josh’s friends: Eli (played by Harvey Guillén, who I love from What We Do in the Shadows), Patrick (Lukas Gage), Kat (Megan Suri) and the cabin owner, Sergey (Rupert Friend). Everything seems fine and dandy until the following morning, when Sergey shows up, while Iris strolls to the lake.
He starts making moves on her, and this is where the action begins.
I find it fascinating that this is Hancock’s first feature film. His background is primarily in television, and it’s evident that his experience there has set him up for success in feature-length storytelling. The script is sharp, featuring clever writing and mostly effective dark humor. Unfortunately, the audience I was seated with seemed dull; I felt like the only one laughing out loud. Not every joke landed well, but the ones that did make the film all the more enjoyable.
An interesting aspect of Hancock’s journey in making this film is that he originally wrote the script with the intention of Zach Cregger directing it. However, when something came up for Cregger, he asked Hancock if he would take over as director. Intimidated by the idea of directing, Hancock took a couple of days to think it over — ultimately deciding to accept the challenge.
Cregger became a producer of the film alongside Roy Lee, who boasts an impressive repertoire of films he has produced, including Strange Darling (2023), It (2017) and It: Chapter Two (2019), to name a few.
With a talented crew supporting him, Hancock needed to excel with the cast, and he delivered. Sophie Thatcher is the standout performance in this and is on track to become horror’s next scream queen. She is an incredibly skilled actress and a force to be reckoned with in every project she undertakes, including her most recent role in Heretic, where she portrayed a Mormon evangelist opposite Hugh Grant. Her performance in this film is no exception.
Also, if you’re not watching Yellowjackets, you need to start. It’s one of my new favorite series, and the latest season comes out on Valentine’s Day. Natalie is my favorite character. Thatcher plays the young Natalie, while Juliette Lewis portrays the older version.
In Companion, Thatcher’s character, Iris, is sweet and somewhat naive about her boyfriend’s misogynistic behavior. Although their relationship is toxic, Thatcher and Quaid work together so seamlessly that it feels natural and believable. Iris’ role is intense and physically demanding, requiring Thatcher to navigate through the woods during thrilling chase scenes. Her ability to convey vulnerability and strength in this complex role is commendable, showcasing her remarkable range as an actress.
I truly believe this movie’s success comes from her involvement.
Quaid is well cast as Josh, displaying a youthful face that makes us want to believe he has good intentions, even as he fails to treat Iris with the respect she deserves. The dynamic between Patrick and Eli adds a delightful touch to the narrative; they exude charm and cuteness, even if their attraction seems strange and isn’t immediately apparent to the audience. I deeply admire both of these talented actors, as they consistently infuse their roles with a vibrant comedic energy and a lighthearted spirit. Furthermore, Gage’s dazzling smile is beautiful — it’s one of the most genuine and endearing smiles I’ve ever encountered on-screen!
Most of this film takes place in a single location: the cabin. However, the cinematography skillfully showcases the surrounding property, giving the audience the impression that they are exploring multiple locations. This clever use of cinematic techniques is genuinely captivating, emphasizing the magic of filmmaking that allows a confined setting to evoke a sense of vastness. The filming and editing are so well done that you might not notice the single-location usage.
Hancock and his team knocked this one out of the park.
I’m enjoying the increasing number of genre-bending horror films we’ve been given recently. One of my latest reviews is for Your Monster, which fits this category, as does Companion. It’s described as a “science-fiction horror comedy” (try saying that five times fast!). I agree with that classification. The science fiction element relates to the twist, while the horror aspect combines science fiction elements with the level of gore and the number of kills in the film.
Although there isn’t as much gore as anticipated, the first intense scene involving blood is wild! I can’t help but wonder if the cast enjoyed filming these crazy scenes as much as I imagine they did. I did see in an interview Sophie Thatcher said her favorite part of doing horror films is the “screaming and crying.”
That sounds pretty cathartic to me.
While there are various themes to explore in this film, its primary purpose is to provide enjoyment and deliver an exhilarating experience. Like Your Monster, I would categorize this as one of my “Good For Her” films, which I love! Furthermore, it showcases original horror, which we need to support by attending these films in theaters, as it encourages more original content. Last year was dominated by prequels and sequels at the cinema, and while I have no issue with that, but nothing can surpass the impact of fresh and original ideas and perspectives.
I love the marketing for this movie, especially the combination of pinks and reds paired with the 1960s doo-wop music, promoting the film for Valentine’s Day, making it an excellent date-night choice. Both horror fans and those who typically avoid horror will enjoy it. There’s enough gore to satisfy horror enthusiasts, but it’s not so excessive that it would turn off non-horror viewers. There’s plenty of action and mystery that keeps a steady pace, and the movie doesn’t overstay its welcome at a tight 97 minutes.
Overall, I rate Companion four out of five stars. It’s a delightful movie with excellent visuals and a charming 1960s soundtrack. The only reason I deducted one star is that some of the attempts at humor fell flat and could have been executed better. Although Iris is dressed in ’60s fashion and the music featured in the film is doo-wop, I think those elements could have been tied the plot more effectively. It was never explained, but I suppose it was just part of her style. Additionally, I love the pink and red movie posters, and I wish they had been incorporated into the film. Those are minor criticisms, but they didn’t ruin my overall experience.
Watch Companion now, exclusively in theaters.