It becomes increasingly difficult to enjoy things spoiler-free in the social media era. While steps can be taken, such as muting words or staying offline as much as possible, the acceptable timeframe for discussing films and TV shows without fear of spoilers gets shorter every year. Hollywood often contributes to this problem with its inane decisions to cram so much of a film into multiple trailers, leaving little room for mystery in the final product. Thankfully, the marketing campaigns for Companion have done well to keep audiences in the dark. While some may find the twists obvious, it doesn’t diminish the enjoyment for those less aware, who are in for a real treat.
Josh (Jack Quaid) and Iris (Sophie Thatcher) seem made for each other. Their rom-com-style introduction is a large slice of fromage as they fall in love at first sight. Things start to sour when they arrive at a remote cabin for the weekend. Josh’s friend Kat (Megan Suri) has an intense dislike for Iris, and her billionaire boyfriend, Sergey (Rupert Friend), is a lecherous scumbag. It also becomes clear that Iris is more into Josh than he reciprocates, as he comes off as a bit of dick, contrasting with her love-filled naivety. Things quickly escalate as true motives and identities are revealed, turning the weekend into a deadly game of cat and mouse.
Written and directed by Drew Hancock, what follows is a disturbing tale about love, morality, and ethics. If that sounds too heavy, don’t worry. Hancock directs with wicked humour, providing laugh-out-loud moments sprinkled with ultra-violent kills and tender interactions. Despite this contrast of ingredients, the film is a melting pot of genres that come together in beautiful chaos.
Thatcher is brilliant as the alluring Iris, wearing her heart on her sleeve while retaining an air of mystery. Her puppy-dog wonder makes it easy to invest in her as she slowly learns the truth, making her a formidable opponent as the prey becomes the hunter. The mask slowly slips for everyone, especially Josh, whose reckless entitlement paints him as a pitiful, but in no way sympathetic, figure.
Whether you know the premise or not, Companion provides exhilarating entertainment with great performances and a tight script. Like Barbarian (Companion was produced by Zach Cregger), Hancock wants audiences to let go and enjoy the ride. There are no gimmicks here, just a cleverly marketed film that trusts its audience to give it a chance, promising that the less they know, the better. A riot from start to finish, it proudly showcases its influences while remaining fresh and original.
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