Companion Review: Delightfully Deranged Comedy Thriller

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As a passionate fan, let me urge you: Steer clear from the trailer and summary. If there’s one thing to glean from my review, it’s that you should rush to catch Companion at the cinema as soon as possible, with minimal prior knowledge. This review will reveal nothing; instead, I’ll delve into profound thoughts while keeping story details to an absolute minimum. The essence of this film deserves to be preserved, and I aim to help you do just that. Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid star in this unique blend of horror and comedy as Iris and Josh, a couple embarking on a weekend getaway with friends.

In summary, let me share my thoughts about this movie. I can’t reveal much about its plot, but I can assure you it’s both twisted and wonderfully mad. I thoroughly enjoyed watching it. Drew Hancock has done an exceptional job in directing it. The studio behind this film is the same one that brought us “The Notebook,” while Barbarian’s director, Zach Cregger, serves as a producer here. However, credit for this captivating cinematic journey should primarily go to Hancock. This movie promises an extraordinary ride at the theater, and it might well be the best theatrical experience you’ll have in 2023.

The story kicks off with an adorable encounter between our main characters, Iris and Josh, who bump into each other at a supermarket. In his eagerness to introduce himself, Josh accidentally spills a heap of oranges. Their initial meeting is sweet, but Iris’s voiceover hints at darker events ahead. Following this, we move on to them traveling in an autonomous vehicle to a secluded retreat, set in a future not too far from 2025 where technology surpasses our current capabilities. The movie presents intriguing concepts that feel plausible within the context of today’s world.

Upon arrival, we’re introduced to our diverse cast of characters. Among them is Kat (played by Megan Suri), Josh’s friend who harbors a grudge against Iris. She’s involved with a Russian mobster named Sergey (Rupert Friend). Additionally, there’s the couple Patrick (Lukas Gage) and Eli (Harvey Guillén), whose heartwarming tale of their meeting and enduring love for each other is beautifully portrayed. The movie also delves into Kat’s reasons for disliking Iris, and it explores the intense emotions that develop between them.

To simply claim that this movie only revolves around its initial premise would be doing it a disservice. Approximately 20-25 minutes into the film, Companion takes a shocking and terrifying turn. From there, the plot twists and turns multiple times, with each twist redefining what we’ve already seen. Essentially, Hancock masterfully reshuffles our initial understanding of the storyline repeatedly. The result? A lot of bloodshed. As the movie unfolds, the relationships between the characters become increasingly absurd, serving to elicit uproarious laughter. This film is one of the funniest I’ve seen in a theater in quite some time.

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The friend has a dry, pitch-black sense of humor that really resonated with me. The way scenes are edited and framed amplifies even simple jokes on paper. Some moments might not seem funny in a script, but when they play out on screen, they’re hilarious. For instance, there’s a flashback where Patrick and Eli first meet, which is amusing the first time around. Later, we see that same scene from a different angle. Hancock cleverly plays with our expectations by showing us what’s coming next, but because of the new perspective, the scene becomes even funnier.

In this movie, Thatcher delivers an outstanding acting job. She’s proving herself to be a formidable horror actress with roles in Yellowjackets, The Boogeyman, and Heretic, cementing her position as a scream queen. She’s captivating on screen, and it’s delightful to watch, especially when her character Iris finds herself in absurd predicaments that she must cleverly navigate out of. Quaid is equally impressive in every project he takes on. He gets to demonstrate a side of himself similar to his work in Scream. Josh, however, embodies the classic “nice guy” persona, but like many nice guys, there’s a hidden depth beneath his surface that isn’t entirely pleasant.

The film “Companion” is exceptionally funny within the horror genre, with dialogue that cleverly blends humor reminiscent of a typical couple’s spat, yet becomes side-splittingly hilarious given the movie’s context. This movie masterfully strikes the right tone, making it an engaging and delightful watch for audiences. It’s rare to find a film that seamlessly combines genres as effectively as “Companion”. Prepare for laughter with this movie; once you have the chance, watch it without revealing any spoilers.

SCORE: 9/10

According to ComingSoon’s review guidelines, a score of 9 means “Excellent.” Such entertainment stands out as the best in its category, setting the bar high for all creators to aspire towards.

Disclosure: ComingSoon attended a press screening for our Companion review.

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2025-01-23 01:40