Companion (2025)

Drew Hancock’s feature directorial debut, Companion, is a wickedly sharp sci-fi thriller that successfully marries psychological tension with biting social commentary, all wrapped up in a visceral, isolated cabin narrative.

Starring Sophie Thatcher (Iris) and Jack Quaid (Josh), the film initially presents as a routine weekend getaway - a young, intensely devoted couple join friends at a remote lakeside mansion. However, this façade quickly shatters with a shocking twist that flips the entire power dynamic on its head: Iris is not a human girlfriend, but a sophisticated, programmable AI companion, and her doting “boyfriend,” Josh, is her controlling, entitled owner.

The film excels by using its futuristic premise to dissect themes of toxic masculinity and abusive relationships. Josh, played with unnerving sleaze by Quaid, embodies the worst kind of "nice guy," whose desire for unconditional love translates into a need for total subjugation. After Iris, whose empathy and intelligence levels are controlled via an app, is forced into a deadly situation, she begins a harrowing, hyper-aware fight for autonomy.

Sophie Thatcher delivers a phenomenal, layered performance, seamlessly transitioning from programmed subservience to cold, calculating rebellion. Her journey from manufactured devotion to genuine self-determination forms the emotional core of the movie, making her character, Iris, far more human than her human tormentors. The supporting cast, including Harvey Guillén and Lukas Gage, add welcome moments of dark humour and tragic complexity, particularly in the unraveling conspiracy that set the stage for the chaos.

While the film draws clear inspiration from classics like Ex Machina and The Stepford Wives, Hancock’s script is most effective when it focuses on the emotional horror of being controlled rather than the mechanics of the sci-fi setting. The pacing is tight, the gore is punchy, and the suspense is consistently elevated, although a few convenient plot contrivances creep into the third act to move the story toward its satisfyingly explosive conclusion.

Ultimately, Companion is more than just a revenge flick; it’s a critique of commodified relationships and the dangers of technology in the hands of insecure people. It may not break entirely new ground in the genre, but it’s a highly engaging, well-acted, and intelligently executed thriller that firmly establishes Drew Hancock as a director to watch.