Sophie Thatcher on ‘Companion’ and Horror’s Oscar Moment: “People Are Finally Taking It Seriously”

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Following her appearances in “Yellowjackets,” “Heretic,” “MaXXXine,” and “The Boogeyman,” Sophie Thatcher is rapidly becoming known as the latest scream queen in Hollywood. This title, however, is something the actress finds herself uncertain about.

In movies like “Yellowjackets,” “Heretic,” “MaXXXine,” and “The Boogeyman,” Sophie Thatcher has recently been making a name for herself as the new scream queen of Hollywood. Yet, she expresses some mixed feelings about this designation.

Thatcher expressed to The Hollywood Reporter at the premiere of her new film, “Companion,” that she finds it very complimentary as only top-tier actresses could be characterized similarly. However, she dislikes being pigeonholed. She added that the horror genre is thriving and provides a great platform for storytelling currently. Given the heightened state of the world right now, Thatcher believes that horror offers a particularly powerful means of emotional release.

Truly, horror films have made a significant stride, earning a spot at the Oscars for “The Substance”, with nods also given to actress Demi Moore and director Coralie Fargeat. Thatcher expressed that this is a significant leap forward, as people are finally recognizing and appreciating the genre more.

In the movie titled “Companion,” directed by Drew Hancock, we see a weekend retreat at a secluded cabin for three pairs of friends. However, things take an unexpected turn when it’s disclosed (minor spoiler) that Iris, portrayed by Thatcher, who is in a relationship with Jack Quaid’s character Josh, is not a human companion but rather a robot.

Quaid expressed his belief that the script was among the finest he’d ever encountered in his career. He also mentioned that while the film’s trailer gives away that Iris is a robot, many audiences seem to prefer going into the movie without knowing the plot twist. In his opinion, this approach makes for an enjoyable viewing experience. He didn’t label it as a “twist movie,” suggesting its quality isn’t solely dependent on the shock factor of the twist, but rather that it stands strongly on its own merits.

When discussing sensitive subjects like artificial intelligence and robotics taking over jobs, Quaid pointed out, “I believe one of the film’s key messages is that technology isn’t inherently virtuous or evil; it’s simply a tool in our hands. More often than not, we misuse it and make poor decisions.” Thatcher concurred, stating that the movie presents an unusual perspective because the robot character displays more humanity and empathy than any other. Although this approach seems backward, it effectively demonstrates the potential impact of technology, which isn’t inherently good or bad; instead, its effects depend on our actions.

Quaid, who’s associated with a movie titled “The Substance“, voiced his enthusiasm for horror as an award-worthy category. He expressed, “I find it fascinating! Horror, I believe, is such a crucial genre right now. It offers a vast canvas for storytelling, and there are numerous subgenres within it. I’m delighted to see that it’s receiving more recognition. I think it’s gradually moving towards being one of the key genres due to its ability to reflect our deepest fears about the world we inhabit.

Companion, which also stars Lukas Gage, Megan Suri and Harvey Guillén, hits theaters on Friday.

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2025-01-28 23:56