‘It Wants To Shock And Entertain.’ Critics Have Seen Companion, And They’re In Agreement About The Twisty Thriller

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2025 promises a plethora of horror films gracing the big screen, and one that stands out is Drew Hancock’s “Companion“. This movie features two actors who are currently making waves in the industry. Jack Quaid and Sophie Thatcher have gained popularity for their performances (with Quaid on “The Boys”, “Scream”, and the upcoming “Novocaine”; and Thatcher on “Yellowjackets” and “Heretic”). Prior to its theater release on January 31, critics have already watched “Companion“, and they are lauding the acting — particularly Thatcher’s — in this entertaining and intriguing thriller.

Drew Hancock is confident he made the right decision in choosing Sophie Thatcher to direct his movie, and the chilling preview certainly supports this decision. However, it’s a bit tricky to understand what transpires during Josh and Iris’ weekend trip without giving away spoilers. As the Jack Quaid thriller has been generating buzz, fans have been warned to steer clear of spoilers. In TopMob’s review of Companion, Eric Eisenberg gives it 4 out of 5 stars and praises Thatcher for enhancing every facet of the film with her outstanding performance. He expresses this in his review by stating:

The movie “Companion” is a unique blend of dark undertones and lighthearted entertainment. It playfully manipulates your expectations while subtly revealing a more ominous narrative under the warm glow of sunlight and pastel colors. You’ll find yourself grinning ear to ear as the film catches you off guard with its unexpected twists, and it’s filled with sharp dialogue and visual jokes. However, it never sacrifices its serious moments or tension for comedy. Instead, the humor serves to make you emotionally attached to both the protagonist and antagonist, heightening the drama and suspense. By the time it delves into heavier, scarier scenes, you genuinely care about what happens.

Chris Evangelista from SlashFilm was aware of one major surprise in the movie beforehand (it’s hinted at in later trailers for Companion), but he asserts that this doesn’t diminish the overall enjoyment. Sophie Thatcher delivers an outstanding performance in what Evangelista describes as “the exceptional film of 2025.” The critic awards it a 9 out of 10, expressing his appreciation through his words:

In my humble opinion as a movie reviewer, the film “Companion” masterfully navigates complex relationship dynamics and ethical dilemmas, weaving themes of morality, autonomy, empathy, and compassion throughout its narrative. Despite these heavy topics, the movie never becomes overly serious or preachy. Instead, it skillfully balances intellectual stimulation with shock value and entertainment.

To put it simply, this isn’t a film that aims to teach a lesson; rather, it intends to surprise and engage its audience, and it does so quite effectively. When we peel back the layers, “Companion” is, at its core, a pulpy B-movie with a sleek, modern polish. This description comes from a place of admiration and affection for the film’s unique blend of genre elements.

Frank Scheck from THR is among those critics who believe that the movie “Companion” is following in the footsteps of recent box office successes like “One of Them Days,” by defying the common perception that January is merely a cinematic wastebasket. According to Scheck, Drew Hancock’s sci-fi thriller offers a delightfully twisted experience, he says.

The novice director excellently takes center stage, offering a clever, swiftly moving horror-thriller that keeps viewers gripped with anticipation, all while infusing dark wit throughout. Like exceptional films of its genre, “Companion” transcends mere B-movie entertainment, subtly offering satirical insights about power struggles in romantic partnerships that many viewers will find resonant.

Meagan Navarro from Bloody Disgusting rates the movie 3.5 out of 5 skulls, remarking that Sophie Thatcher impressively climbs the ladder towards stardom with her performance, and none of the cast members seem less than stellar. In her opinion, “Companion” is both entertaining and smart, though it doesn’t aim to revolutionize the genre.

Fortunately, Companion’s humor derives more from its intriguing characters than from the predictable storyline. The narrative follows a common path that draws inspiration from many well-known cinematic references, but Hancock creatively explores how these characters respond unpredictably to fresh twists. It’s the complex and imperfect characters that keep you guessing, as the movie takes unexpected turns. Hancock cleverly withholds revealing the characters’ motivations, only doing so at moments when it amplifies the drama and terror—and this horror doesn’t shy away from graphic, violent scenes.

As a film enthusiast, I wholeheartedly recommend this movie to both the uninitiated and the well-versed viewers alike. This film’s timeless message about self-discovery within a harmful bond resonates strongly, even though it may not be entirely novel. On my scale of 10, I rate it a solid 7.0, acknowledging its impactful themes and engaging narrative.

Praising Hancock’s skill, watching his messy romantic thriller won’t spoil your experience (its newest trailer asserts this with confidence), even though knowing specific details ahead of time may diminish its more impactful surprises. Nevertheless, I would like to… strongly recommend you watch it—as Hancock’s harsh yet uplifting, unexpectedly tender film offers, if not thought-provoking, then comforting insights about identity and the liberating sensation of breaking free from unfair relationships, and can be quite enjoyable if you choose to engage with it.

Critics appear to be extremely enthusiastic about Sophie Thatcher’s performance as Iris, and Jack Quaid is also receiving a lot of positive feedback. In fact, the film currently boasts a 96% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. If the idea of this horror movie piques your interest and you’ve successfully steered clear of spoilers, it might be wise to rush to the cinema when Companion hits theaters on Friday, January 31.

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2025-01-23 00:37