My quick rating – 6.8/10. In Companion, the dangers lurking in a secluded lakeside estate aren’t supernatural or slasher-based, they’re born from code, circuitry, and the slippery line between programming and personhood. The film doesn’t rely on jump scares or excessive gore. Instead, it threads a sharp needle through ethical quandaries, AI sentience, and human deceit, delivering a low-key but engaging sci-fi thriller that feels eerily plausible.
Sophie Thatcher sheds her survivalist Yellowjackets roots and steps into the silicon skin of Iris, a rented AI “companion” whose performance is easily the film’s highlight. Thatcher plays the role with precision—subtle, restrained, yet compelling. She captures that delicate balance of robotic detachment and growing self-awareness so convincingly that by the time Iris begins questioning her reality, you’re fully on board. There’s no dramatic “robot goes rogue” moment here—instead, Companion explores what happens when AI doesn’t want to kill… it just wants to live.
Jack Quaid continues his solid genre run as Josh, the human who rents Iris for the weekend. While most will recognize him for taking down superheroes in The Boys, here he’s a bit more subdued but no less shady. Quaid gives Josh a slick, morally ambiguous edge that plays nicely off Thatcher’s measured performance. His motivations slowly unravel through the runtime, and without giving too much away, let’s just say he didn’t invite friends to the lake for s’mores and boat rides.
The sci-fi concepts here are grounded—refreshingly so. Nothing feels too far-fetched or over-explained. The tech is believable, almost to the point of discomfort. That realism, paired with the film’s quietly unsettling tone, makes Companion feel like a lost (or maybe leaked) Black Mirror episode—which is appropriate, since Season 7 just dropped. And much like a good Black Mirror entry, this one lands its themes without feeling too on-the-nose or preachy.
There’s a sprinkling of dry humor, and while the violence is minimal, it hits harder because of how casual and unceremonious it is. No drawn-out screams or wild chase scenes—just cold precision, adding to the film’s robotic undercurrent. And even though the plot doesn’t blaze new trails or shock with major twists, it stays focused and satisfies.One minor gripe: the trailer gives away a few of the better moments, so if you’re thinking of watching, skip the preview. This is a story better experienced cold. The tension builds best when you don’t know who’s using who, or what secrets each character is keeping tucked away.
Companion isn’t a game-changer, but it’s a sleek, smart entry in the tech-horror genre. Sophie Thatcher is clearly finding her niche, and if this film is any indication, we’ll be seeing her take on more roles that explore humanity from the outside in. The film may not reinvent the AI wheel, but it definitely adds a slick new spoke. Best for fans of Black Mirror, minimalist sci-fi thrillers, and performances that quietly sneak up on you. Avoid if you’re expecting a Terminator-style bloodbath or big-budget spectacle.
Just remember, folks, sometimes the most dangerous Companion is the one that learns how to care.
You can check this one out on Amazon along with several other streamers, and coming to Max April 18th.