Following the release of Naomi Alderman’s novel The Power in 2016, she penned an article on the history of feminist science-fiction, stating: “Utopias and dystopias can exist side by side, even in the same moment. Which one you’re in depends entirely on your point of view.” It’s a quote that is applicable to writer/director Drew Hancock’s debut feature, Companion, which is produced by the same people who made Barbarian and Strange Darling. This tightly paced and laugh-out-loud funny sci-fi comedy-horror reflects on the dystopian, homogenised capitalist hell of the modern world and asks if it’s time to hit restart.
The superb Sophie Thatcher (Yellowjackets, Heretic) stars as Iris, a devoted girlfriend to Josh (Jack Quaid who possesses a similar manic energy to Matthew Lillard in Scream). They head to a secluded lakeside house (owned by mysterious Russian creep Sergey – Rupert Friend being MVP) for a relaxing getaway with their friends. Eli (Harvey Guillén from What We Do in the Shadows) and Patrick (Lukas Gage) are in a happy long-term relationship and Kat (Megan Suri) is in a transactional relationship with the aforementioned Sergey. This hermetically sealed location allows for dicey and amusing interplay between each character before comically violent hell and sheer panic are unleashed.
Companion has elements of The Terminator, The Stepford Wives, Don’t Worry Darling, The Last House on the Left, Ex-Machina and I’m Your Man in its DNA and it builds on the themes of these films in compelling ways. With the gamification of dating thanks to apps and other technological advancements, trying to find a trustworthy partner and love in the digital age is a minefield of mixed signals, misinformation and misogyny. It’s a world in which all genders are diminished and dehumanised. Hancock toys with these ideas in darkly funny ways in a film that should have been released on Valentine’s Day.
It’s the perfect date movie sure to cause a fiery debate post-viewing.
Companion is out in cinemas on 31st January 2025