Meet the Rising Horror Stars of ‘Companion’ Who Are Redefining the Genre!

Drew Hancock’s latest movie titled “Companion” features several recognizable young actors among its cast. The film combines elements of science fiction, thriller, comedy, and horror, with Iris (played by Sophie Thatcher) and her boyfriend Josh (Jack Quaid) as the main characters. They travel to a lavish hillside mansion for a weekend getaway with Josh’s friends, where Iris strives to make Josh happy and fit in, while Josh merely wants her acceptance among his peers. However, when an incident involving the wealthy owner of the house takes place, Iris finds herself in grave danger.

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As a cinephile, I must say that this young, gifted cast truly shines in their performances, with Thatcher and Lukas Gage standing out as they delicately navigate intricate characters. Quaid, however, takes the cake by masterfully portraying an unlikable character, a departure from his usual roles. Watching this horror film, it’s evident that we are witnessing some of the freshest talents making waves in the genre today. Each actor has left an indelible impression on the horror scene, contributing uniquely to its growth and evolution.

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Jack Quaid

A Scream King

Jack Quaid has achieved widespread recognition by playing Hughie Campbell in Amazon Prime Video’s smash-hit series “The Boys”. This captivating show is set in a universe where superheroes are commonplace and treated like celebrities. However, many of these so-called ‘heroes’ are actually cunning villains who commit murder when the spotlight fades. Hughie and his motley crew of vigilantes have been battling to bring an end to their tyranny since the show’s debut. Although Quaid is primarily associated with the satirical superhero genre, he has also left a notable imprint on the horror scene.

A Lover of the Genre

As a die-hard horror fan, I can’t help but recognize Jack Quaid from the 2022 version of Scream, where he delivered a chilling performance as Richie Kirsch, one of the two Ghostface killers. In this modern slasher, Richie and his partner in crime, Amber (Mikey Madison), returned to Woodsboro after a 25-year hiatus from the first murder spree, targeting teens linked to those involved in the original killings. Quaid’s portrayal of Richie was so convincing that it felt like he had been born for this role as one of the Ghostface killers. His character’s insanity echoed the original Ghostface murderers, Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard) and Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich), and he nailed it perfectly.

Beyond “Scream” and “Companion”, Quaid also starred in the 2017 horror comedy “Tragedy Girls”. In this film, he portrayed high school student Jordan, who finds himself embroiled in the mischief of some central characters, which verges on the deadly. During the promotional interviews for “Companion”, Quaid expressed his fondness for the genre, suggesting that he might be keen to take on more horror roles, thereby strengthening his reputation as a ‘scream king’.

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Sophie Thatcher

A Horror “It” Girl

Sophie Thatcher made a big entrance in the horror genre by starring in Showtime’s psychological horror/thriller series, Yellowjackets. In this show, she portrays teenage Natalie, one of the survivors from the Yellowjackets soccer team whose plane crashes in the Canadian wilderness. As they struggle to survive the harsh environment, Natalie and the girls gradually lose their sanity while trying to appease the wilderness.

A Natural Talent for Horror

In the upcoming premiere of Yellowjackets’ third season on February 14th, Thatcher found her breakthrough to establish herself as a popular young actress. She’s made quite a name for herself in numerous horror movies and series, starting with playing young Reagan in the TV adaptation of The Exorcist. She also made a brief appearance in MaXXXine, the third film of the X trilogy, and headlined the 2023 supernatural horror movie The Boogeyman. More recently, she starred alongside Hugh Grant in Heretic, a philosophical horror film where Grant portrayed an eccentric atheist while Thatcher took on the role of a devout Mormon missionary.

It’s evident that horror runs deeply through Thatcher’s blood, and she masterfully brings every character to life in this genre. Her facial expressions are particularly expressive, communicating a wealth of emotion, which is why she’s rapidly becoming one of the most talked-about actresses in the realm of horror.

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Lukas Gage

A Horror Prince

Following his role in “Smile 2”, it seems undeniable that actor Lukas Gage is poised for success in the horror genre. In the film, he portrayed Lewis, Skye Riley’s (Naomi Scott) drug dealer, who met a tragic fate when exposed to the terrifying smile demon at the beginning of the story. Those who encounter this entity become increasingly insane, eventually resorting to gruesome self-inflicted deaths. In a chilling scene, Lewis reaches his breaking point and violently takes his own life in front of Skye. Before his death, he flashes the signature malevolent grin, which Gage’s portrayal found both unsettling and terrifying. This haunting performance suggests that Gage has secured a spot in the horror genre.

Quite Familiar With the Genre

Apart from featuring in various horror productions like “Assassination Nation”, “Sleep No More”, and “Sickhouse”, Gage has also made a significant mark in the psychological thriller genre, particularly in the fourth season of Netflix’s “You”. With its eerie undertones, this role solidifies his position as an emerging talent in horror. His portrayal of Patrick in “Companion” underscores his potential to shine in future horror movies and series.

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Megan Suri

A Horror Princess

As a devoted fan, I can tell you that Megan Suri takes on the role of Kat in the chilling thriller, “Companion.” This isn’t just any character for Suri; Kat is Josh’s (portrayed by Jack Quaid) friend who happens to be dating the wealthy owner of the lavish weekend retreat. But there’s more to Kat than meets the eye – she’s not only a close associate of Josh, but also his partner in crime as they orchestrate the gruesome incidents that unfold throughout the weekend. This film might just be Suri’s most significant role yet, but it’s far from her first foray into the horror genre.

Growing in the Horror Genre

In 2023, Suri took on the main role of Samhida in the supernatural horror film “It Lives Inside” (Neon). The character Samhida is an Indian-American teenager dealing with identity issues and trying to mend her relationship with a past friend. Unknowingly, she summons a demonic force by meddling with her friend’s cultural artifact during this journey. Additionally, Suri played a secondary role in the 2023 thriller “Missing,” a movie incorporating horror elements.

This movie, shot in a documentary-like style, tells the story of a teenage girl whose mother disappears during a vacation in Colombia with her boyfriend. In her quest to locate her mother, she is aided by her closest friend, portrayed by Suri. Following her impressive performance in Companion, Suri is definitely an actor worth watching.

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2025-02-12 02:05