Sophie Thatcher’s performance as Iris, a lifelike robot with a dreamy façade and devotion to her human partner Josh (Jack Quaid), is a highlight throughout the film. However, the movie’s cleverness falls short of its potential.
In Drew Hancock’s latest horror thriller Companion, Thatcher plays a complex character struggling with her programming and desires. Like in her previous role as a religious convert in Heretic, she brings depth to Iris, who finds herself caught between her human partner’s expectations and her own nature as an advanced sex doll.
Companion draws comparisons to Barbarian, another recent horror hit, but fails to deliver the same level of unpredictability and audacity. The twists and turns are too easy to follow, making the movie feel like a second-rate carnival ride populated by automatons. Hancock’s attempts at commentary on relationship power dynamics fall flat, coming across as Comedy Ex Machina with hints of satire that never quite materialize.
Thatcher’s performance remains the standout aspect of the film, but even she can’t elevate this unfulfilled sci-fi horror movie to its full potential. The sight of her character navigating violent confrontations and figuring out her true nature is diverting, but it’s not enough to save the rest of the film from its ease and lack of impact.
With a talented cast, including Megan Suri, Harvey Guillén, and Lukas Gage, Companion has promise but ultimately falls short. Despite Thatcher’s shining performance, this sci-fi horror film fails to deliver on its clever ideas and instead becomes a somewhat forgettable, easily predictable ride.
Source: https://www.avclub.com/companion-review