Film Review: Companion

Companion is one of those annoying films to review because it works better the less you know. I was a bit miffed myself because the trailer gave away an early but critical detail which would have been far more fun to work out or discover. So, for those of you still blissfully ignorant I’ll give you the short version:

Companion is a refreshing dark comedy with the feel of an extended Black Mirror episode. The concept is brilliant, the writing solid and it’s hard to get bored with its zippy 90-minute run-time. However, while the break-neck speed of the plot will keep you from getting bored it does mean ideas and themes set up by the intriguing premise are never fully explored. However, a star-making performance from Sophie Thatcher (Heretic) and Jack Quaid (The Boys), who plays well against type, ultimately elevate the film despite this.  

You should probably go watch it. At the very least, I’m sure you’ll have a good time and your butt won’t fall asleep.

Still here? Alright minor spoilers from here on in all of which were in the trailer. Sophie Thatcher plays ‘Iris’ which uncoincidentally is ‘Siri’ spelled backwards because she is a sex bot or, as the film puts it, ‘an emotional support bot – that fucks.’ Unfortunately, for Iris, she’s not aware of this. All her memories, including her meet-cute straight from a rom-com, are all implanted memories papered over by programming that makes her so obsessed with Josh (Jack Quaid) she never considers her reality. Even worse, she’s been invited away for the weekend to a remote lake-side location by her ‘boyfriend’ which in movieland rarely turns out well (this is not an exception).

Director and writer, Drew Hancock almost feels like a darkly comical Casper throughout as he bouncily plays with audiences’ expectations. His knowledge of film tropes (and how to subvert them) allow him to make a script that is both tight yet has a lot to say. Toxic masculinity, love, the patriarchy, what makes us human etc are all touched upon with subtlety and nuance.

At one point Iris gets hold of Josh’s iPad and finds he’s programmed her intelligence at 40%. A lesser film, such as say last year’s Barbie would probably have America Ferrera-like character monologuing, here Thatcher just rolls her eyes. There is no hand wringing or beating the audience on the head with a newspaper that what’s done to ‘companions’ is monstrous. This is because Hancock, god bless him, actually trusts his leads and the audience to understand.

That trust is well-placed. Thatcher is so perfectly cast, it’s impossible to imagine another actress encompassing the role. Visually, she’s exactly what I could imagine an R&D department would spend tens-of-millions trying to make what the ‘perfect girlfriend’ would look like to lonely male consumers. The slightly crooked smile, the soulful eyes, pretty, but not intimidating. Back at sex-bot HQ I can easily imagine a bunch of executives popping champagne corks as she rolled off the assembly line. 

However, it’s not just looks she brings to the table. Managing to appear both fay and vulnerable and vaguely robotic is no easy task yet she manages it with aplomb. She’s not the only star on display though, only the brightest. Quaid brings an understated ‘nice guy’ uneasiness and his caring attitude always seeming plaster thin. So much so that a turn towards the end did seem a little sudden, but not unbelievably so.

Despite the weighty subject matter and chills, Companion also manages to entwine its thrills with humour throughout. I found myself laughing in the mostly empty matinee screening a number of times, however I was the only one which suggests the comedy is best for those with darker sensibilities.

If you are a fan of Black Mirror-esque sci-fi and can find the funny side in multiple murders, Companion is a bitter-sweet good time.