Synopsis:
New Line Cinema—the studio that brought you “The Notebook”—and the unhinged creators of “Barbarian” cordially invite you to experience a new kind of love story…Companion.
Edition:
Theatrical – early screening
My Thoughts:
I keep seeing articles indicating that Companion is “spoiler-proof.” Or that you shouldn’t “…worry about spoilers.” I think we’re just saying that now because everyone has done such a thoroughly spectacular job of spoiling major plot points before the movie ever even came out. Because people are terrible.
So, I will spoil nothing, in case you’ve managed to miss all the people online spoiling it, and…you know…the advertisements (why would you blow your whole wad in ads like that?). It drives me crazy because knowing this was from the folks behind Barbarian, I think we could all surmise there was gonna be some crazy, unexpected twist. But then EVERYBODY made sure to tell us what the twist was going to be before we even got our butts in seats. WHYYYYYYY.
But here’s the thing: despite their best efforts, the world at large wasn’t able to ruin this wonderfully entertaining movie. It survives on sheer meanness, fun (weird combo, but there you have it), and the strength of the performances from Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, Lukas Gage, and Harvey Guillén. With shoutouts to Megan Suri, Rupert Friend, and Jaboukie Young-White for their also solid performances. It was like Paul Verhoeven does a rom-com. Really wonderful stuff.
Although it’s fairly bloody, I’d say Companion is not scary in the sense that it will jump-scare you out of your seat – although I would definitely call it horror. And about 14 other genres/sub-genres. It’s just so FUN! Which feels weird to say about a film that at its core I think is very much about domestic abuse and the various horrible ways we can mistreat and manipulate those we claim to love most. There’s also a heavy dose of greed. Most notably, the very human greed we all feel for love, connection, attention, and cash. Because of the whole End-Stage-Capitalist-Hellscape thing, you know? The one where we prize material wealth and financial status over things like basic decency or human kindness? Yeah, that one.
But for all it’s messaging, Companion never felt heavy-handed to me, either. It managed to shoe-horn all sorts of interesting concepts into a story of boy meets girl, a bunch of crazy stuff happens, lots of blood and death follow, and then things end in a way you’ll just have to see for yourself!
Rating:
I loved Companion. And I hope I provided some incentive for you to go check it out while it’s still in theaters (how will we ever get more horror/scifi/weird genre fare in theaters if we don’t go see them?). And I hope I managed to do that without spoiling anything.
This is a perfect Valentine’s Day date movie. I hear that’s coming up. Take yourself, or a friend or partner to see it!
Companion
Written and Directed by: Drew Hancock
Warner Bros
US Release Date: January 31, 2025
Rated R
97 Minutes
