By Eleanor Bate, Second Year Philosophy
I may not believe in the glorification of murder, but I do, however, believe in the empowerment of women (even the murderous, robotic ones).
Companion (2025) is a welcome addition to the ever-growing “good for her” cinematic universe, earning its place alongside modern greats like Gone Girl (2014) and Midsommar (2019). The film marks the feature directorial debut of Drew Hancock and stars rising talent Sophie Thatcher (Yellowjackets) alongside Jack Quaid (The Boys).
This bloody and violent sci-fi thriller, centred around artificial intelligence, shares a similar vibe with Ex Machina (2015), but with the camp dialled up and a future more in line with Her (2013). While Ex Machina presents a sleek, cerebral take on AI autonomy and Her explores the softer, more emotional side of human-technology relationships, Companion injects both with a heavy dose of dark humour and pulpy chaos.
The film excels at balancing tension, horror, and satire, delivering a narrative that is both deeply unsettling and wildly entertaining. It doesn’t just question the ethics of artificial intelligence but also dismantles the misogynistic fantasies imposed on it. With its vibrant aesthetic, over-the-top violence, and biting social commentary, Companion carves out its own space within the AI thriller genre, proving that a robot uprising can be just as fun as it is thought-provoking.
Iris, played by Sophie Thatcher, is a badass heroine who (spoiler alert) earns her place among the ranks of scream-queen final girls. Thatcher delivers a masterclass in acting, striking a balance between deeply human and eerily uncanny—perfectly embodying the essence of artificial intelligence. Her performance is further elevated by the film’s meticulous attention to makeup, hair, and costume, designed by Vanessa Porter.
Dressed in kitschy, mod ’60s outfits and sporting a brunette beehive, Iris initially stands out just enough from the rest of the cast, her appearance adding to her charm. However, once her robotic nature is revealed, her vintage aesthetic takes on a more unsettling meaning. What first seemed like a quirky personal style is exposed as something far more insidious—an artificial construct of Josh’s design, reducing her to a dress-your-own Barbie doll for his personal sexual gratification.
While Thatcher is the standout, Quaid proves his ability to convincingly portray ‘nice guy’ Josh. The audience buys into his sweet, gentle boyfriend act until the switch flips, revealing him as the insecure incel he truly is. Quaid embodies the disturbingly familiar terror of the modern misogynist, who views himself as the victim, making his ultimate downfall all the more satisfying.
My only significant qualm with Companion isn’t with the film itself but with how it was marketed. I first experienced it at Odeon’s Scream Unseen—an event where the movie remains a mystery until the title card appears—and I hadn’t seen a single advertisement for it beforehand. I went in completely blind, and for that, I am incredibly grateful.
We need to have a serious discussion about trailers spoiling a film’s most intriguing and surprising plot twists. My viewing was far more impactful because I had no idea what to expect, allowing me to discover the film’s twists and turns as they unfolded—the way the movie gods intended. Companion initially plays out like a typical romance: we see Iris and Josh's meet-cute in the fruit and veg section of a grocery store, with Thatcher’s voiceover ominously revealing that she would eventually kill Josh. However, the shocking revelation that Iris is actually a robot is left under wraps until later in the film.
For those who had watched the trailers beforehand, this reveal was completely spoiled, stripping the story of much of its mystery and shock value. Worse, it also prematurely establishes Josh as the film’s true antagonist, undercutting the slow-burn tension that makes the film so compelling.
However, Hancock succeeds in blending a variety of genres—drawing from both The Notebook and Barbarian in its marketing—to create a film that remains consistently engaging. Companion is a comedic yet gory twist on sci-fi romance, delivering a wildly entertaining and blood-soaked ride.
The film remains exciting throughout, compelling the audience to root for the escape of the *checks notes* sentient robot as she cuts down everyone in her path—including her sociopathic, man-baby of a ‘boyfriend.’ To him, she is nothing more than a doll—an object to control and mould into his idealised ‘trad wife.’ This teaching us that a man will even be misogynistic toward a computer as long as it is female.
(PS. Iris if you see this, please give me a chance. I would you treat you so right!)
What did you think of Companion?
