‘Companion’ Director Spills Sequel Secrets: Will Iris Get a Happy Ending?

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The following article contains spoilers for Companion.

Director Drew Hancock of the movie “Companion” seems to be enjoying an exceptionally exciting time. Just a couple of days after its release, his AI horror film has generated unexpected buzz, which is quite remarkable given that it’s not typically a busy season for horror releases. However, against all odds, “Companion” is winning over critics and audiences alike. Even though it’s only been on the big screen for a short while, discussions about a potential sequel are already circulating, and Drew Hancock is already brainstorming ideas for such a follow-up.

In an interview with Variety, Hancock discussed the intriguing and unexpected climax of the film, which sets up potential sequels focusing on Josh and Iris, a pair who venture to a secluded mansion for a friend’s weekend gathering. Iris exhibits unease around Josh’s friends, and when the host aggressively targets her, she reacts with force. It is later revealed that Iris is in fact a robot, specifically engineered and programmed to cater to Josh in every way.

Here’s Iris’ ordeal as she confronts a band of humans (except for a few exceptions, we’ll keep that intriguing), who view her as the ideal fall guy for a larger transgression. Iris discovers that the rules are more like guidelines to be bent, and in response to her predicament, she strives to elude the ruthless plot orchestrated by her boyfriend. We’ll leave you guessing about the outcome, but Hancock has ideas brewing on how Iris might perceive a robot with consciousness:

This version maintains the original’s tone and essence while making it more accessible to readers.

I have tiny sprouts of thoughts. I wonder, ‘That could be interesting… What happens when she goes into hibernation? Given that she needs to take breaks eventually, what does she experience during those times? Perhaps there’s a chance encounter every time she sleeps in that supermarket. Could this help reintroduce the character played by Jack [Quaid]?’ These are some ideas I’ve been pondering.

The Sequel to ‘Companion‘ Could (and Should) Be All About Iris

It can be expected that Drew Hancock would opt for a safer approach if given an opportunity to extend the narrative with a sequel. This is primarily due to the captivating portrayal of Sophie Thatcher as Iris, the robot who unfortunately possesses the capacity to “feel.” He might initially focus on reintroducing Iris and then possibly expand her storyline beyond the movie’s powerful ending.

As a film enthusiast, I feel that after sharing my vision for the story in Companion, it’s time for me to take a step back and let another creative mind guide the sequel. When asked about the direction I’d prefer, if given the chance, my ideal sequel to Companion would show her hitchhiking on the side of the road, removing her tracking device, and then cutting to her living on a serene farm with a substantial sum of money. That’s the peaceful life I envision for Iris – simply enjoying the sunset.

It seems clear that Warner Bros. likely won’t support that particular version, so I don’t plan on pursuing it further. However, I’m excited about the prospect of a fresh take on the story, one that isn’t similar to Westworld. I’m less concerned about learning more about Empathix and more interested in exploring where Iris ends up and how she manages to survive. Given that she’s driving a gas-powered car 15 years into the future, it won’t be long before she runs out of fuel. Gas stations probably won’t exist then, so she’ll encounter challenges right away, which could make for an intriguing narrative.

The recently released movie titled “Companion” is a chilling yet humorous addition to the horror genre, winning over both viewers and critics with its charming portrayal of artificial intelligence. Its unexpectedly positive message about AI has left many captivated, causing quite a stir in the film industry. Over the weekend, it generated more than $15 million at the box office, exceeding expectations from its initial $10 million budget – an impressive feat for any horror movie. The critical acclaim continues to pour in, with the movie boasting a 94% score on the Tomatometer and a 91% rating on the Popcornmeter on Rotten Tomatoes at the time of writing.

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2025-02-03 19:32