Movies

Review: In the dark lark ‘Companion,’ it’s hard to trust your date when AI is a factor

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Instead of evaluating these modern studio horror films as genuinely scary, it’s wiser to appreciate them based on their romantic qualities. Being visually appealing, amusing, and then turning tense and spooky (while still maintaining humor) is more alluring than being safely routine and foreseeable.

As a fan, I’d describe “Companion” as an intriguing duo adventure starring Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid, who embark on a romantic getaway only to encounter unexpected twists involving hidden agendas and faulty technology. It leans more towards the entertaining escapade like “M3GAN” (with similar cautionary humor about artificial intelligence), rather than the suspenseful psychological thriller “Barbarian,” which was a surprise hit from last fall that the film’s promotions would prefer you not forget.

Instead of delving into the concealed pathway to hell as portrayed in “Barbarian,” the enigma element is integrated within the suspenseful allure of “Companion.” The narrative revolves around Iris, a captivating character played by horror legend Thatcher, who guides us through the events. Iris, dressed in an ethereal manner reminiscent of a soft-focus advertisement from another epoch (enhanced by the soundtrack’s frequent ’60s-inspired strumming), is initially concerned about fitting in with this group, but her primary concern is pleasing her boyfriend. This group includes Josh (Quaid), who is known for his witty banter and expressive facial expressions, Kat (Megan Suri) with her sharp tongue, and the lovestruck duo Eli (Harvey Guillen) and Patrick (Lukas Gage). They are all gathered at the lakeside mansion of enigmatic Russian businessman Sergei, portrayed by Rupert Friend in a cool yet absurd manner. Iris fears that none of them will accept her, but she is determined to make her boyfriend happy.

Travel & Experiences

On a perfect Sunday, the star of “Yellowjackets” might prefer rummaging through antique stores in Sherman Oaks, sipping tea at the Museum of Jurassic Technology, browsing records at Mount Analog, and spending plenty of time scrolling online.

It seems her goal may be uncertain, given she returns from a walk on the beach, covered in blood and visibly upset, with their group of six now reduced by one person. However, it’s worth noting that not everyone in the house is human to begin with – this is the first twist in writer-director Drew Hancock’s attempt at a satire involving couples, drawing inspiration from “Westworld,” “The Terminator,” and more recently, “M3GAN.”

When Iris is arrested and pleads for mercy, this revelation isn’t entirely surprising – Hancock subtly hinted at it during the tense and eerie setup. Yet, what makes it impactful is that it deals a heavy blow to Iris, who must now grapple with this earth-shattering truth and find a way to endure the journey ahead.

In this story, no character appears exactly as they may initially seem, even Iris. The role of “Companion” seems to be maintaining control over the situation, allowing for occasional interludes of exposition while the action unfolds, leading to a steadily rising count of casualties. And it does so with an engaging pace and energy.

Fortunately, Thatcher excels at striking the right balance between deadpan and power needed for her role, which is impressive. It’s understandable if you find it hard to fully believe her in the initial scenes as a nervous codependent, but this doubt serves to enhance one of the screenplay’s intriguing theories about the evolution of relationships. The other actors playing alongside Thatcher are skillfully chosen, with Gage effectively employing his good looks for humor while also effortlessly transforming them into unsettling emptiness.

In a twist of irony, logic doesn’t always side with this film – especially considering its plot revolves around the concept of predetermined outcomes. Yet, “Companion”, serving as a dark techno-satire with a sharp sense of humor and unexpected compassion (released amidst heightened curiosity about our engineered, sculpted future), is a stylishly crafted, potent choice for a date night, offering a thought-provoking experience.

This movie doesn’t always follow logic, since it’s about predetermined outcomes. However, as a dark comedy with surprising empathy and a touch of violence (released when people are excited about our designed future), “Companion” is a well-made, powerful choice for a date night.

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2025-01-31 03:31

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