I remember the first time I saw the teaser for the new movie Companion. It looked odd and weird, and it suggested that actor Jack Quaid, normally cast as bumbling well-meaning types, might be playing against that type for whatever Companion was. Yes, I am vaguely aware Quaid was playing against that type in a recent Scream movie, but I am well behind on that particular franchise. Regardless, a later trailer explained a lot more about what was going on, and I heard the movie was getting decent reviews, particularly for a January release.
That said, the trailer’s reveal ironed out the plot in ways that, I believe, would make the movie somewhat less fun for someone going in on their own, so I’ll be refraining from mentioning what the trailer said in my review.
Iris (Sophie Thatcher) is headed out for a weekend away with her boyfriend Josh (Quaid) at a remote cabin owned by one Sergey (Rupert Friend), the somewhat sketchy boyfriend to Josh’s friend Kat (Megan Suri). Along with another couple, Eli and Patrick (Harvey Guillén and Lukas Gage, respectfully), it looks to be a fun weekend for most of the people there. Iris is nervous about being there, mostly noting that Kat doesn’t seem to like her. But Josh, he thinks she’ll be fine in the end and suggests she just keep up a happy face and enjoy herself.
Now, as I said, I want to avoid spoilers that even the trailer gave away, and so, I’ll be holding back a bit about what the plot says from here. Suffice to say that there are things Iris doesn’t know about either herself or Josh or why they are where they are. She isn’t a complete fool, adapting well to shifting circumstances, and she makes the most of what she can do even as things get darker for her. About all I feel comfortable saying for certain is Josh is not a good boyfriend, and Iris is about to find that out the hard way.
To start, I should note the movie is a bit of a mishmash of genres. It has elements of sci-fi, thriller, and social satire, and it actually plays the sci-fi and satirical elements well. The thriller elements maybe not so much, but the movie actually has a smart script for a January release. The plot point dropped at the end of the first act plays out in a smart and compelling way as Irish navigates a life she maybe never asked for. It helps that Thatcher gives a really good performance. Between this movie and last year’s Heretic, she’s one to keep an eye out on. Quaid’s not bad himself. He may have been playing his more stock role than I had initially thought, but the script and the lead performances really help as both Thatcher and Quaid’s characters develop more and plot to get themselves out of the mess they’re in. Thatcher’s Iris is a quick study, and the longer the audience spends time with Josh, the more they see what a loser he is, and on reflection, was from the beginning.
Now, I’m not saying this is an all-time classic, but it was smart, fun, and at times, even funny. I will admit that I think the movie’s conclusion took a bit long to get there, and the final act doesn’t quite hold itself together. But I was surprisingly pleased given how early in the year this movie came out, and I hope writer/director Drew Hancock only gets better from here.
Grade: B-
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