Companion’s Jack Quaid Draws Parallels Between This Character And His Ghostface Turn In Scream: ‘They’re Sort Of Cut From The Same Cloth’

by

In an attempt to steer clear of spoilers for the latest horror flick titled “Companion“, let me put it this way: The character portrayed by Jack Quaid, Josh, may initially appear charming and amusing. However, as the movie progresses beyond its initial act, you begin to perceive a sinister side of his personality – controlling tendencies and an inflated sense of entitlement. This character is quite engaging, especially when contrasted with Quaid’s previous significant antagonistic role in the horror genre: Richie Kirsch from the 2022 version of “Scream“.

This week, I had an opportunity to talk to the actor during the Los Angeles press day for the movie “Companion“. During our conversation, I asked him about his thoughts on comparing and contrasting Josh with his portrayal of Ghostface, focusing particularly on their common entitlement – in Josh’s case, towards women, and in Ghostface’s relationship with the fictional Stab movie franchise. Jack Quaid acknowledged the similarity but emphasized a significant distinction between the two roles: it is largely influenced by audience perception.

I find both characters share similarities, but for me, there’s always a distinct divide. In the grand scheme of things, Josh is the antagonist from start to finish in the movie, a fact that’s quite clear. On the other hand, Richie hides his villainous intentions till the end. What sets him apart is his desire to embody a horror movie killer like Ghostface or Stab’s slasher. He yearns to be the quirky, knife-wielding figure who instills fear in people – that’s who he aspires to be.

In the climax of “Scream,” it becomes clear that Richie’s character is a ruthless psychopath, thriving on bloodshed to inflate his ego. However, Josh from “Companion” presents a different kind of adversary. As I came to understand through Josh Quaid’s portrayal, he isn’t your typical hero. Instead, what sets him apart is his self-perception as a victim throughout the film.

Quaid also mentioned that if a less favorable version of “Companion” had been made, it might have portrayed the perspective and roles differently, with Sophie Thatcher’s character, Iris, playing the original role. However, he appreciates the approach taken by writer/director Drew Hancock as it stands.

What I found captivating about portraying him was his role as an unaware antagonist, and I believe the most compelling villains are those who are unknowingly evil. It would have been less engaging if Josh had been the hero and Iris was the one causing chaos, needing to be stopped. I’m thrilled that we made the unexpected choice by reversing their roles instead.

According to the actor’s remarks, it appears that some of the film’s overall joy comes from Josh being portrayed as a rotten character, which the actor found challenging yet rewarding to play. Quaid mentioned that he had difficulty tapping into the character’s unpleasant blend of anxiety and self-importance, but he managed by developing a specific aspect of the character’s background that he personally defined. In his words:

He’s portrayed the most insecure character of my acting career so far, and uncovering empathy for him was a significant hurdle. However, I believe I managed it by suddenly understanding one day that Josh might never have heard “I love you” said to him. This insight, I think, drives every reprehensible action he takes within this storyline.

Continuing my analysis, it’s clear that there’s an element of unrequited feelings in his bond with Kat, played by Megan Suri, aside from his romance with Iris. Quaid himself admitted this was a factor. Now, having had some time apart, he has a strong message to convey to the character.

1) There seems to be something intriguing hidden within him. I truly admired the script and portraying that character; it was fascinating and captivating. Now that I’m no longer acting as him, I can freely express my dislike towards Josh!

Excited enough? Get ready to unravel the captivating mysteries of “Companion” starting this weekend as it graces screens nationwide. Apart from the already mentioned talents like Jack Quaid, Sophie Thatcher, and Megan Suri, you’ll also be treated to performances by Lukas Gage, Harvey Guillén, and Rupert Friend. As I highlighted in my 4-star review for TopMob, it’s a brilliant blend of suspense and humor. After watching it, don’t forget to come back here for more from my conversations with the film’s stars and director.

Read More

2025-02-01 01:38