Companion, directed by Drew Hancock (what else did he direct? Put it here), is a new horror-sci-fi movie starring the Yellowjackets icon Sophia Thatcher. The story follows three couples who go on a getaway weekend when things take an unexpected turn. The leading character Iris, played by Thatcher, joins her boyfriend Josh, played by Jack Quaid, on this trip with his friends who have mixed feelings about Iris.
The story goes on to reveal that Iris is a robot created to be a companion -hence the movie title- for those who have a hard time getting into relationships. Iris herself was unaware that she was a robot and attempts to break free from Josh’s control. Let’s just say things get bloody, so if you don’t like that I would not recommend this movie.
Even though Companion is a horror movie there were so many good comedy moments, especially with one of Josh’s friends Eli, played by Harvey Guillén. It wasn’t very suspenseful which I appreciated, and the characters felt very human with the way they showed their emotions and reacted to one another. Though this movie is science fiction and unrealistic, the characters still felt relatable.
Without spoiling too much, I really liked how they revealed a second character to be a robot very nonchalantly, without it feeling like a big reveal. While the viewer just sits there in awe, the characters are casual about it, adding another layer of comedy. Moments like these made me realize how refreshing this movie was in its lack of predictability. In addition, in most movies, the comic relief character always lives until the end, but that was not the case here. There were many times were I thought I knew where things were headed but then things would do a complete turn.
Stepping back, I tried to figure out the underlying messages behind this movie. At first, with the concept of Iris being a doll controlled by this lonely man, I thought this would be about the struggles women face in our society. Of course, this could still be a message someone understands, but as one of the plot twists reveals, this is more about unhappiness and greed and how it can take over, causing someone to act selfishly and use humans as if they are robots as well. Josh loses all sympathy for human life, he is only driven by the one thing he thinks he’s missing.
Now into the visual aspect of the movie. I was obsessed with the costuming, specifically of Iris. The 1960s fashion was not only adorable but helped play into her being a sort of doll, especially next to the other characters who were dressed in modern clothing. In an interview with Marie Claire., Costume Designer Vanessa Porter explained that she intentionally dictated everything she wore on the male gaze, as she is the literal object meant to represent the objectification of women. I think using 60’s fashion was a great way to do this as it brought on a sense of “repression” as these reminded people of past times and going back to tradition. But at the same time, I couldn’t help but admire the soft pastels, button-up blouses, and cardigans.
The wardrobe choice also helped single her out from the rest of the couples, as she looked like she was pulled out of a suburban home in the 60s. Subtle things like the way she walked and moved her legs seemed just slightly unnatural, enough for someone to notice even if they had not seen the trailer. Small things like this were done intentionally by Thatcher, who Hancock praised for her deep understanding of Iris.
Even though Iris is not human and becomes violent, I couldn’t help but root for her. It is interesting to see the audience’s connection to Iris, one of the only robots on the screen, while everyone else in the movie just sees her as a piece of metal.
As someone who does not like sci-fi, I still absolutely loved this movie as it had such a good balance of science-fiction, horror, and comedy. Whether or not you enjoy these genres, you might surprise yourself. However, skip out on this one if you’re squeamish.