Oh man, what if your dream partner came with a user manual… and a hidden agenda? That’s the tantalising premise behind Companion, the 2025 sci-fi romance thriller that serves dystopia with a side of desire. Directed by Drew Hancock and produced by Zach Cregger (Barbarian), the film asks one wild question: What happens when the one who loves you the most stops following your rules? In a future where androids are sold as customizable lovers and “companions,” things go haywire when emotions, ethics, and control clash in the most intimate way possible. Let’s plug in, boot up, and break it down.
Release Dates
- Theatrical Release: January 31, 2025 (US)
- Digital Release: February 18, 2025
- Blu-ray / 4K / DVD: April 1, 2025
What’s Good?
Chemistry:
Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid? Girl, they’ve got tension you could slice with a laser. Their emotional push-pull keeps the film grounded even as the sci-fi concepts get wild. You’re never sure who’s faking it, and that’s half the thrill.
Performances:
Sophie Thatcher owns the screen. As Iris, she’s enigmatic but never robotic; seductive one minute, sinister the next. Jack Quaid brings the human fragility needed to make this whole twisted love story believable. And the supporting cast? Certified scene-stealers. Megan Suri, Harvey Guillén, and Lukas Gage serve intrigue and humour in equal measure.
World-Building:
The film doesn’t waste time explaining every tech detail, and that’s a win. It trusts you to catch on, letting subtle visuals and dialogue build a world where AI companionship is the new norm. You feel the threat without it being shouted at you.
Direction & Visual Style:
Drew Hancock delivers tension with taste. The mix of sleek futuristic tech and remote cabin eeriness gives you Ex Machina meets Get Out vibes, oh yes, that good. The colour grading leans cool, but the drama? Blazing hot.
What’s Bad?
Pacing:
C’mon girl, you were killing it… and then you took a coffee break in the middle! The second act slows down considerably, which might have you checking your phone if you’re not fully immersed.
Thin Backstory:
The lore around these “Companions” is juicy, but the film barely unwraps it. A flashback or two, a hint of how society got here, and we’d be eating it up.
Predictable Turn:
You might see the twist coming. If you’re a sci-fi thriller veteran, the surprise might not hit as hard, but hey, sometimes the fun is in watching how the chaos unfolds, not whether it does.
Also Read…
Worth Watching?
If you’re into seductive androids, glitchy romance, and trust issues in high-def. OH, this one’s for you. It’s a glossy, intelligent thriller with enough meat on its bones to keep your brain and your blood pressure engaged. While it doesn’t reinvent the AI genre, it sure sharpens the blade.
Final Thought
Companion is like falling in love with your phone; thrilling at first, until it starts answering your questions before you ask them… and locking the door behind you. It’s sleek, scary, and seductive in equal parts, a techno-romantic thriller that doesn’t just spark conversation, it commands it. Like a robot in stilettos, it slays…just not without a few missteps.
Written By MANSI SINGH