Josh and Iris are invited to a country lake house retreat for the weekend where romance quickly turns to death, destruction and double crossing for those around them.
Written and directed by Drew Hancock, ‘Companion’ is an original horror comedy screenplay. Originally intended to be directed by Zach Cregger of horror ‘Barbarian’ fame, ‘Companion’ was then happily handed over to Hancock – a comparative newcomer to the bigger budget films and the horror genre – and possibly an unknown risk in the eyes of Warner Bros studios. Although it became apparent he was the possibly the best choice as his vision could be described as quite precise using very few locations – predominantly Hudson Valley region of New York – and minimal effects to keep the whole premise bizarrely far more believable in a possible non-too distant future.
‘Companion’ is set in a millionaire’s country lake house retreat where three couples merge to have the weekend of their lives within the home of ‘new money’ Sergey, played by Rupert Friend. Starring the scene stealing rising star Sophie Thatcher as Iris, (Heretic), who was cast through a rarely used chemistry zoom meeting with Jack Quaid as Josh, (The Boys) whilst on opposite sides of America. Drew felt an emotional connection to how Sophie nailed the audition as her character was required to go from calm to not so within the classic three act structure, casting aside the actresses who were able to undertake one emotion though not quite the extreme of the other.
This by some could be described as a semi-dystopian future where the automation that has been created by humans goes off-track – so to speak – and takes life into their own hands. And this is where we get into the precious reveal of the trailers and how much one should know before you see this film. Ironically going into this viewing ‘blind’ without prior knowledge is by far the best way to get the most from Hancock’s vision and style. So from now on the early reveal, though not the twist, will be looked at in some detail.
The companion played by Sophie Thatcher is a lifelike robot who has been leased by a lonely, far from affluent young Josh who looks to take wealth rather than earn it through far means or fowl. Taking a weekend retreat to his friends house takes him to where the film is ultimately destined to go in the mental and physical horror stakes. There he meets up with Kat, played by Megan Suri (It Lives Inside) Eli, played by Harvey Guillén (Perrito, of Puss in Boots) and Patrick, played by Lucas Gage from the recent awesome ‘Smile 2’, to collectively do more than just party and let off steam.
Where this film falls short is the early reveal which could have been done differently. Josh’s control of Iris mentally and physically, would have played better if done without our knowledge as we wonder just how she is achieving her devastating goals.
The horror comedy genre can be tricky to nail. The wrong type of overdone blatant humour or horror which feels out of place can tip the scales off, but here the darkness is in almost perfect balance with the light. Although it’s the script and its timing that lets this film down from something that could have been excellent. Companion’s premise is how far a human will go to use those around them, be it human or otherwise to meet their ultimate needs. Of course ‘Companion’, like others will be compared to similar ultimately better films such as the recent cult classic ‘M3GAn’, who ran with the premise that titanium exoskeletons are physically more powerful and with a more intelligent mind more than a match for the mere human.
Try to go in as blind and uninformed as possible to get the most from what is overall a confident ride.
Author: Piers, Maidstone Store
