Companion

Basically a Black Mirror episode, but in a standalone format.

I went into it without watching any trailers, which I think made the experience even more enjoyable and surprising.

The pacing and duration were okay: fast enough to keep things engaging, but short enough to avoid unnecessary scenes or fillers. It wasn't slow or drawn-out, which I really appreciated.

Sophie Thatcher's portrayal of the main character stood out to me. I think she was a good choice for this role.

The main idea of the movie is not very original, but, overall, I would recommend it as an easy weekend movie (not bad, not great either)

The marketing shouldn't have revealed the big first act twist however, Companion is still twisty enough to not be derailed by that and it's unpredictable nature also makes it worthy of Barbarian director Zach Cregger's heavily marketed producing credit. It's a great thriller about the worst tendencies of the worst kinds of men and their ideal controlling relationship, eschewing subtlety to bluntly state and show its themes for a bloody good time.

Sophie Thatcher is fantastic in what should be a star making performance. She's done strong work in a couple of horror films recently but this is on a whole other level since so much more is required of her and she does it all flawlessly. Jack Quaid cements that he's as good at playing nice guys who really aren't as he is playing loveable characters like Hughie from The Boys. Just like his performance in Scream, he knows exactly how to portray a pathetic character effectively.

In an impressive debut, writer & director Drew Hancock keeps the film on its toes without breaking the momentum it gains very quickly with perfectly timed humour whilst drip feeding information about the larger world at play. Eli Born's cinematography stands out by drawing attention to the most important items that end up being used in highly satisfying ways and the soundtrack utilises very knowing song choices throughout.

$10M, 90 minute movie with good writing that is well acted. Loved it! Would happily take 20 of these over one Kraven or the 45th Indiana Jones movie, etc. Thanks New Line!

Everyone who made this movie did their job well. Great script with plenty of turns and some laughs. Casting did a great job, with Eli and Patrick in particular getting great performances. Movie was shot and directed well, edited well with some pretty minor effects that were done well. All in all just a well rounded, great effort that I hope audiences turn out for because this is the kind of movie studios should be making imo.

The premise of Companion isn't anything new however its execution is both charming and disturbing. It's also one of those movies where the less you know about it the better.

Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid are perfect in their respective roles. There's a lot of clever dialogue that elevates everyone's performance, gradually raising the tension at a great pace. Companion is a thriller more than it is horror movie but it goes to dark places while balancing humor to amazing effect.

The decision to contrast retro-style outfits with the modern-futuristic style of the technology and setting was a brilliant one. Costuming in general gets overlooked by many people but here it helps give Companion its own identity that fits the tone of the movie perfectly.

Companion utilizes its R-rating well too. There's a great balance of blood and violence mixed in with underlying themes of control, relationship dynamics, moral implications regarding technology, and much more. If you're looking for a dark comedy with a few surprises up its sleeve, you'll definitely want to check out Companion.

Movie was a pretty interesting watch. It wasn't too long, which I appreciated, and the pacing kept things moving. The acting was solid, with the main character delivering a standout performance that really carried the movie. The rest of the cast did well too, but she was the highlight for me.

That being said, the plot felt a bit weak. It had potential, but it didn't go as deep as I hoped, and some parts felt predictable. It's still entertaining, but don't expect anything groundbreaking story-wise.

One big tip: don't watch the trailer before seeing the movie. It gives away too much and takes away from some of the surprises. If you go in blind, you'll have a much better experience.

Overall, it's worth watching for the performances and the concept, but it's not the kind of movie that will stick with you for long.