4 out of 5 stars
Exploring what would happen if artificial intelligence became conscious is nothing new in modern media, and as AI becomes more prevalent in our daily lives, the concept doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.
“Companion” is not doing anything original by asking the question “at what point does artificial intelligence become alive?” A24’s “Ex Machina” and the “Blade Runner” series both make similar assertions. However, Drew Hancock’s thriller “Companion” stands out as it takes this topical concept and gives it a campy twist with a tinge of social commentary.
Despite being written and directed by a man, “Companion” feels entirely female in its point of view. The movie felt like the first of its kind written for the female gaze.
In “Companion,” seemingly perfect couple Josh (Jack Quaid) and Iris’s (Sophie Thatcher) weekend getaway with their friends goes haywire when Iris kills their billionaire host and discovers she’s a robot programmed to be the perfect companion.
While “Companion” starts out as the typical fuzzy rom-com, complete with a supermarket meet-cute, it takes all of 20 minutes to turn into a gory and heart-racing bloodbath. It’s insanely fun to watch.
The movie makes some interesting assertions about the ethicality of AI, or rather how it could be abused. But, if you look closely, you’ll find a thinly veiled metaphor about how men wish they could control women.
The moment when Iris finds out Josh prefers her at a below-average intelligence is fleeting, but it would resonate with any woman I know. Josh is a man who wants a woman to be smart enough to not be boring, but not smarter than him. It brought me great joy to see her put on a devilish smirk as she slid that intelligence bar up to 100%.
I can’t say enough good things about Thatcher’s performance. She perfectly captures a pseudo-human persona, especially with her plasticky, stiff smile throughout the movie. Her reactions, even before she finds out she’s a robot often venture into uncanny valley territory, but I rooted for her the whole time. Layered underneath this robotic performance is the innocence of someone who hasn’t been on this planet for very long and is still learning how to navigate it.
I’m less enthusiastic to sing Quaid’s praises, but that must mean he did something right. He encapsulates the straight white guy with a victim complex so well that when I saw a picture of him while writing this article, I could feel my face getting physically hot. Apologies, Mr. Quaid. I’m sure you’re a nice man.
Another strength of this film lies in the visuals, especially the costuming. While most of the characters in the film wear fairly normal modern fashion, Iris is always dolled up in a sixties barbie-esque outfit. She feels wholly out of place from the first time you see her, helping to emphasize that something isn’t right even before she knows it.
I’d highly recommend watching “Companion,” it’s worth splurging to see it in theaters. If you are averse to blood, skip this one, but if you want a fun thriller that keeps you on your toes at every turn and sprinkles in some potent yet not heavy-handed social commentary, this is the movie for you.
“Companion” poster. Photo courtesy of Vital Thrills.