COMPANION
****
Directed by Drew Hancock.
Starring Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, Lukas Gage, Harvey Gullén, Megan Suri.
Science-Fiction, US, 97 minutes, Certificate 15.
Released in cinemas in the UK on January 31st by Warner Bros
The spoiler adverse among you may want to skip to the last three paragraphs. For those intrigued by that first mysterious teaser trailer that seemed to promise all sorts of bloody mayhem from the producers of BARBARIAN, looking for a similar surprise, your avoidance has paid off; COMPANION is full of surprises, twists and laughs. All of you who think you know the score are also in for a treat, as Drew Hancock’s debut film throws in a number of other wrinkles alongside its bloody thrills and black comedy.
The film begins with a cliched and schmaltzy meet-cute straight out of the most hackneyed rom-com you’ve ever seen. Undercutting all of this is a foreboding voiceover from lead character Iris, Sophie Thatcher, that hints at the darkness that is in store. Hopelessly devoted to her nice guy boyfriend Josh, played by Jack Quaid, Iris is nervous about a vacation to visit his longtime friends at a large mansion in the remote woods. Despite the warm welcome from Harvey Gullén’s Eli and his longtime boyfriend Patrick, played by Lukas Gage, Iris receives a frostier reception from Kat, Megan Suri, Josh’s closest friend and mistress of Russian millionaire Sergey, who owns the mansion. The prevalence of self-driving cars that don’t blow up or crash suggest a near future and Iris’s uncanny ability to predict the weather to the exact degree may tip off the viewer as to her true nature. How this true nature is revealed sets off a series of events that unfold in ever more lethal and surprising fashion.
The discovery of Iris’s true nature, by the audience and its characters is told in a surprising and violent fashion, which alongside its socially relevant themes is reminiscent of the aforementioned BARBARIAN. The high-tech edge also serves as a reminder of Alex Garland’s EX MACHINA, although this is a far breezier and funnier film in comparison. Making his debut as director, Drew Hancock displays a sure hand that complements his smart, sharp script. The inventive storyline that sees Iris realise the cold hard truth about her too good to be true boyfriend and her own nature soon plays out like an upgraded version of the woman in peril thrillers that were once so prevalent in cinema.
Also impressive is the handling of tones throughout the film. This is a very funny film that has some serious matters on its mind. Violence and comedy can go hand in hand when executed correctly and Hancock proves this skill in spades. As dark as it is humorous, the film's final stretch is particularly sinister when one aspect of a particular character that is all too sadly relevant, especially online, is revealed. That the film does this without discarding its earlier tone(s) marks Hancock out as a director to keep an eye on in the future.
His handling of a familiar cast also pays off in spades. As Josh, Jack Quaid subverts his nice guy nature that has seen him make such an appealing hero figure on THE BOYS whilst Sophie Thatcher will no doubt win over a large number of newcomers impressed by her work in last year’s HERETIC as well as her fans from YELLOWJACKETS. Although the film flies by at just over ninety minutes, she manages to do so much with her role in the time that she has, making Iris her most appealing, fun and relatable character yet. Special mention should also be made for Lukas Gage doing a complete turnaround from his nervy character work in SMILE 2 with his role of a dutiful and caring individual completely unprepared for what is about to happen.
A surprise in many ways, COMPANION immediately proves itself as one of the most impressive films of this year as it gets underway. By turns funny, violent, sweet and empowering, this could be an alternative Valentine’s classic for the future.
Iain MacLeod