COMPANION (2025) – Beauty without brains

This latest Hollywood endeavor attempts to delve into the age-old trope of A.I. robots turning rogue in the not-so-distant future. The film kicks off intriguingly, introducing us to Iris, a stunningly beautiful girl, and her seemingly idyllic romance with Josh, a decent guy. This initial setup soon transitions to a remote Airbnb cabin where Iris and Josh join two other couples for a weekend escape. Predictably, things take a dark turn, and the film’s secrets unravel through a convoluted plot involving a misguided murder with far-fetched motivations.

While some may find the plot entertaining and suspenseful, Companion was a torturous watch for me on multiple levels. The overarching theme is nothing novel, merely rehashing better-executed films featuring A.I. robots. The acting was basic, made worse by a script that felt like it was crafted by a poorly programmed A.I. The murder subplot was ill-thought-out and defied logic, detracting from the film’s potential. The inclusion of gruesome kill scenes felt like excessive puffery, adding little to the narrative. Moreover, the casting of a gay couple and an Indian-American character in a six-person ensemble felt like Hollywood’s overzealous attempt to embrace woke culture.

A better approach might have been to emulate the British anthology TV series Black Mirror, which offers futuristic tales of technological horror while providing insightful commentary on contemporary social issues. Instead, Companion opts for an inane script, presenting an unlikely future where A.I. robotics are reduced to glorified smartphones in human form. The film’s lack of imagination is evident in its repetitive attempts to showcase robotic advancements by having the A.I. deliver weather reports.

To be fair, Companion boasts a decent cast, but they are let down by poor writing and direction. This shortfall rests squarely on the shoulders of writer-director Drew Hancock. Surprisingly, the film has garnered positive reviews and boasts an astonishingly high Rotten Tomatoes rating of over 90%, with some critics lauding it as clever and thrilling! Did we watch the same movie? Clearly, movie appeal is subjective, and reviews should be taken with a grain of salt.

Ultimately, Companion may have the ingredients for a compelling narrative but for me, it faltered in its execution, resulting in a lackluster experience that fails to stand out in the crowded genre of A.I. thrillers.