The past decade or so has seen many films tackle the issue of our rapidly evolving technology the seemingly inevitable development of android companions powered by artificial intelligence. From Her to Ex Machina to M3gan, the morality of creating these entities has been explored numerous times. A new entry to the fold seeks to ask these same questions. Companion begins as a weekend getaway for couple Iris (Sophie Thatcher) and Josh (Jack Quaid) as they head to a remote cabin to meet their friends Kat (Megan Suri), Sergey (Rupert Friend), Patrick (Lukas Gage), and Eli (Harvey Guillén). The weekend soon turns to chaos when it’s revealed that Iris is a subservient android built for human companionship being controlled by Josh. Iris must now break free of him and his control if she wants to be a free being.
Thematically, Companion follows the same path of moral exploration as its predecessors in the genre of androids and artificial intelligence. Themes revolving around sentience and humanity, exploring what makes something alive and what the ethics are of creating sentient artificial intelligence solely for humanity’s selfish uses. No new ground is tread, but these themes and questions remain thought provoking in the context of the story crafted by writer and director Drew Hancock. Iris’ emotions and the motivations of the humans present in the cabin are well established and presented in a way that is compelling, creating empathy for Iris despite her inorganic origins and calling into question the ethics of Josh, Kat, Patrick, and Eli in what their plan for the robot is. Following previously established story beats could have easily resulted in Companion feeling like a retread of a film, but the characterization and story are strong enough to make give the film more of a new entry in an established genre vibe.
Additional credit for pulling this off has to go to the film’s actors, led by Thatcher as Iris. This film would not work at all without the obvious android being bestowed with a strong thread of humanity within her endoskeleton and Thatcher imbues Iris with a strong thread of empathy that connects her with the audience. Conversely, Quaid’s Josh is a quality foil, slowly revealing himself to be more than just a man who takes an unconventional route toward companionship, but a sociopath whose need to control serves as a larger statement about man’s hubris and desire to play God. Josh’s development must be done at a gradual pace and Quaid plays the character steadily, building him up over time in a way that flows with the script and keeps the viewer engaged. Guillén and Gage are also strong in their supporting roles, with Gage adding an extra element of humanistic emotion and Guillén adding comedy on top of it.
Where Companion truly separates itself from its predecessors however is through its comedy and the odyssey of Iris being hunted in the forest surrounding their secluded getaway. The humor is well integrated into the story and provides a bit of levity to its serious themes regarding artificial intelligence and autonomy creating a balanced film that is entertaining and allows it to stand on its own within the genre. The subplot involving the supporting characters of Patrick and Eli and their relationship is also an additional strong point for the film with its depiction of love touching and a strong emotional touch for the story.
Companion is one of the best entries in the AI robot subgenre that has emerged over the past decade and a half, earning its place alongside its predecessors. The way it subtly sets up its reveal on what Iris is through both her actions and Josh’s, to how it’s handled once her true nature is shown, to how it melds humor and serious exploration of what this burgeoning technology means for man and its creation alike, this film both entertains and makes viewers ask the right questions. The cast performs well both individually and as a collective, with good chemistry and portrayals that bolster the material they are given. Companion hits all the marks and is worth anyone’s time looking for a quality watch.
Image: Warner Bros.
