HBO Max’s Sci-Fi Thriller With Near-Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score Is One Of Its Best

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HBO Max has a great selection of sci-fi content, and one standout movie from last year is a particularly gripping thriller. If you’re a fan of the genre, you’ll find plenty to enjoy on the streaming service, including popular shows like Westworld, Raised by Wolves, and Station Eleven, among others.

HBO Max has a fantastic collection of science fiction movies, including classics like 2001: A Space Odyssey, Dune and Dune: Part Two, and Inception. Sci-fi has become increasingly popular lately, with both large-scale and independent films finding an audience in both cinemas and on streaming services.

Sci-fi movies continue to do well, and 2026 is no exception. Smaller films like Markiplier’s Iron Lung and Project Hail Mary have found success, and streaming services are seeing big hits too – Mercy on Prime Video and War Machine on Netflix. If you’re looking for a particularly gripping sci-fi thriller with intense moments, shocking twists, and thought-provoking themes, there’s a standout movie now available on HBO Max.

The film Companion premiered in theaters on January 31, 2025. Made with a modest $10 million budget, it needed to earn between $20 and $25 million to cover its costs. It exceeded expectations, ultimately grossing $36.7 million. You can now watch Companion on HBO Max, where it stands out as one of the platform’s strongest sci-fi movies for several reasons.

Companion’s Positive Reception Places It Among The Best Movies On HBO Max

The movie Companion did well in theaters, largely thanks to its very positive reviews. It earned a ‘Certified Fresh’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes with a 93% approval score from critics, and audiences also loved it, giving it an 88% rating. Critics praised the R-rated film for its unique take on a familiar theme – cleverly blending dark humor with a seemingly perfect home life – and for having deeper meaning beyond just its surprising plot twists.

Critics and audiences loved Companion, making it one of the best movies available on HBO Max. This R-rated sci-fi thriller joins other well-received films like Dune: Part Two, The Batman, Weapons, and Barbie – movies that successfully combined style and substance to really stand out.

In a review for ScreenRant, Alex Harrison rated the sci-fi thriller Companion a 7 out of 10. He called it “an entertaining thriller built to last,” praising its ability to be straightforward and avoid unnecessary complexity. Harrison highlighted that the movie successfully balances its serious themes with both humor and darkness, ultimately prioritizing entertainment and delivering a thrilling experience.

Why Companion Is Worth Watching On HBO Max

The show Companion relies heavily on the acting of Jack Quaid, known from The Boys, and Sophie Thatcher, of Yellowjackets. Quaid plays Josh Beeman, who initially appears as a charming, though somewhat naive, boyfriend to Thatcher’s character, Iris. Everything changes when Iris kills a man in self-defense, revealing that she isn’t who – or what – she seems: Iris is actually a companion robot that Josh has rented.

The movie takes a thrilling turn from this point forward, giving Naomi Watts a chance to play a nuanced character who’s discovering her boundaries and the harsh realities around her. Meanwhile, Anthony Quaid delivers a convincingly serious and intimidating performance, a stark contrast to his more well-known role in The Boys. Companion is a fast-paced, smart, gripping, and thoroughly enjoyable film, making it a great choice for sci-fi fans on HBO Max.

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2026-04-24 00:48