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Movie Review - Warner Bros.' Companion

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Companion is a 2025 science fiction thriller horror film directed by Drew Hancock, written by Drew Hancock, produced by New Line Cinema, BoulderLight Pictures, Vertigo Entertainment, and Subconscious Domain Entertainment, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. It stars Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid.


"There were two times I felt truly happy. First, the day I met Josh; second, the day I killed him." - Iris

Plot


When Iris takes a trip to a remote cabin with her boyfriend Josh and his friends, things go sideways very fast as dark secrets are revealed and someone ends up dead.


The Sweet


January is always a dumping ground for movies, but it feels like every few years we get a huge horror/thriller hit. I don't know if I'd describe Companion as a big hit, but it's definitely a good movie. It, alongside M3GAN and Scream, is changing the game as far as January horror movies go.


This movie does a really good job of continuously surprising you. Right after the real inciting incident happens, there's about a ten minute sequence of just reveal after reveal after reveal that keeps making you re-interpret the entire first act of the film. It hits you with so many twists in a short period of time that you have absolutely no clue where this thing is going.


I think the first act is really the best in terms of surprises, but it does feel like the movie continues to have twists and turns throughout. Every time you think the story is going somewhere, it ends up going in a completely different direction. These twists allow the tension to rise naturally and the movie keeps you engaged because you never know what's hiding around the corner.


This movie is also really funny. It's not quite a horror-comedy, but I think it uses the scary moments in a comedic way. Honestly, most people are classifying this as more of a thriller, and that's probably a more accurate assessment, because this isn't really a scary movie. Either way, it blends the thrills and the comedic moments really well. A joke or funny image in the middle of a tense situation can elevate the tension, and Companion knows that and uses that to its advantage.


It's hard to talk about this movie without spoiling it, because it's honestly better if you don't know the main premise. The premise is shown in the trailer, but it is much better if you go in blind. That said, I was just a big fan of the main premise. I think it allows for some great, cool moments and some really creative ideas while also providing a solid commentary about toxic relationships.


I also always appreciate a movie with a short runtime, so I'm going to shout this movie our for that as well. Movies nowadays are too long, but Companion sits nicely at 97 minutes. It is short and sweet. It packs all of its story neatly into its runtime. It doesn't overstay it's welcome: it knows what it is and it doesn't try to be anything more than a cool, entertaining, interesting thriller.


The Sour


I absolutely despise it when movies actually spoil things in the trailer, and Companion is absolutely that. The premise of this movie is super cool, and you find out what it is about twenty minutes in, but it's treated like a twist reveal. If you watch the trailer, however, you will know what that twist is. You will know the premise of the movie, and it's less cool because of that. I will never understand why studios feel the need to actually market spoilers for a movie. That is completely unforgivable.


The movie also defies its own logic a few too many times. When you are telling a story, it's okay to break the rules of real life, because as audience members, we are expected to suspend some disbelief. But when you set up specific rules about your world, you have to abide by those rules. Companion sets up certain rules, but breaks them later in the story at the plot's convenience. This is especially true as we reach the ending. It feels like we needed to take some illogical steps to help the hero defeat the villain, so the final victory is cheapened.


I think our two leads here are very strong characters: both Iris and Josh are interesting, funny, and work well for the types of characters they are portraying. The side characters, however, are not given as much to do. This doesn't feel like the type of movie to have characters just so they can add to the body count...but that's kind of what it ends. up feeling like. The side characters aren't really given much to do. They aren't interesting, so when their deaths hit, there's no real weight or feeling...and there should be.


Final Thoughts and Score


Companion is a solid, twisty thrill ride that is thoroughly entertaining from beginning to end. It's not some revolutionary new movie. It's got its problems. But it is definitely worth watching.


I am going Savory here. Age range is 14+.


SWEET N' SOUR SCALE

Sweet (Great) Savory (Good) Sour (Bad) Moldy (Terrible)


"Companion"


Fun Factor: 8/10

Acting: 7.5/10

Story: 7.5/10

Characters: 7.5/10

Quality: 7.5/10


Directed by Drew Hancock


Rated R for strong bloody violence, frightening themes and images, language, sexual content, thematic elements


Released on January 31, 2025


1 hour and 37 minutes


Sophie Thatcher as Iris

Jack Quaid as Josh

Lukas Gage as Patrick

Megan Suri as Kat

Harvey Guillén as Eli

Rupert Friend as Sergey

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