Companion - Die Perfekte Begleitung (Companion)
U.S.A. 2025

Opening 6 Feb 2025

Directed by: Drew Hancock
Writing credits: Drew Hancock
Principal actors: Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, Lukas Gage, Megan Suri, Harvey Guillén

At first glance, Companion might appear to be a conventional romantic comedy, but it is a completely new kind of love story. Writer-director Drew Hancock orchestrates multiple genres in his debut feature: a black comedy, a horror film, a sci-fi thriller—each element blending harmoniously, and creating a cinematic experience that is both unpredictable and exhilarating.

Companion’s suspense-driven tone and unsettling atmosphere is the kind of film best experienced with as little prior knowledge as possible. In that spirit, this review will avoid too many spoilers regarding its plot. The film begins with our protagonist Iris (Sophie Thatcher, Heretic, Yellowjackets, The Boogeyman) meeting her boyfriend Josh (Jack Quaid, Oppenheimer, Scream, The Boys, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse) in a grocery store. Iris, ever the romantic, considers this memory the perfect meet-cute with Josh, the love of her life. Thatcher and Quaid deliver outstanding performances, giving the film emotional depth and intensity.

Companion is filled with unexpected twists and turns, cleverly subverting familiar romantic comedy conventions, exploring themes such as love at first sight or the awkwardness of meeting a partner’s close-knit friend group for the first time. When Iris meets Josh’s friends Eli (Harvey Guillén, What We Do in the Shadows, Blue Beetle), Patrick (Lukas Gage, Smile 2, Dead Boy Detectives) and Kat (Megan Suri, It Lives Inside, Never in my life...) and Sergey (Rupert Friend, High Desert, Asteroid City), her relationship with Josh and her own journey take a new turn. Common themes tackled in a romantic relationship, such as loneliness and insecurity, are well developed by director Hancock. So are the dynamics of abusive and manipulative relationships. What makes the film particularly compelling is how Hancock frames these themes through the lens of technology, seamlessly integrating its sci-fi elements into a deeply psychological horror experience.

Despite blending elements of romance, sci-fi, and psychological drama, Companion is, at its heart, a horror movie. Fans of the genre will appreciate its gruesome, blood-soaked kills that deliver the kind of visceral impact expected from a well-crafted horror film. For those who enjoy both horror and romantic comedies, Companion is a must-watch—but for the best experience, it is advisable to avoid the trailers and go in with as little information as possible. For non-horror movie fans like myself, the film proves to be a well-paced piece of entertainment that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. With his innovative approach to film genres and his masterful direction, Hancock has a promising future.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered devices have started to permeate various spheres of our lives. Are we ready for them? (Brigitte Bernard-Rau)