What are critics saying about Drew Hancock’s Companion?

Companion

The 2020s have witnessed a surge in innovative horror films that blend traditional scares with social commentary, contributing to a renewed interest and critical acclaim in the genre. Companion, directed by Drew Hancock, is an upcoming horror film that makes a strong statement about the complexities of human-robot relationships.

The narrative centers on a weekend getaway among friends at a remote cabin, which unravels into chaos after the revelation that one of the guests, Iris, portrayed by Sophie Thatcher, is a companion robot.

Jack Quaid co-stars as Josh, a billionaire whose death sets off a chain of events during the trip. The ensemble cast also includes Lukas Gage, Megan Suri, Harvey Guillén, and Rupert Friend.

Critics have lauded Companion for its smart and twisted narrative. Entertainment Weekly describes it as a “deliciously smart comedic thriller,” highlighting Thatcher’s compelling portrayal of Iris as she evolves from ignorance of her robotic nature to powerful self-awareness.

TheWrap’s William Bibbiani says, “The whole thing is freaky and funny as hell.”

Vulture praises the film’s clever construction and escalating tension, noting its balance of entertainment with light political commentary critiquing misogynistic tendencies.

Kirsten Lopez of The Film Maven declares Companion as, “… one of the first great movies of 2025, and a movie that’s only going to get timelier over the subsequent years.”

Peter DeBruge of Variety praises the film as well, “Directing his first feature, Hancock brings an impressive degree of control to a project that’s entirely execution dependent. If the timing and tone weren’t just right, the satirical edge would sour.”

The film’s exploration of themes such as male entitlement, technology, and self-determination aligns with the ongoing renaissance in the horror genre. Watch the trailer below:



Companion, written and directed by Drew Hancock, stars Sophie Thatcher (Yellowjackets, The Boogeyman), Jack Quaid (The Boys, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse), Lukas Gage (Smile 2, Dead Boy Detectives), Megan Suri (Never Have I Ever, It Lives Inside), Harvey Guillén (What We Do in the Shadows, Blue Beetle), and Rupert Friend (High Desert, Asteroid City).

The film is produced by the team behind Barbarian—Raphael Margules, J.D. Lifshitz, Zach Cregger, and Roy Lee. Executive producers are Tracy Rosenblum and Jamie Buckner.

Behind the camera, Eli Born (The Boogeyman, Hellraiser) serves as cinematographer, with production design by Scott Kuzio (Dumb Money, the Fear Street trilogy). Editors Brett W. Bachman (The Fall of the House of Usher, Pig) and Josh Ethier (Don’t Move, Orphan: First Kill) bring the film to life in post-production. Vanessa Porter (The Toxic Avenger, Archive 81) oversees costume design.

Music is crafted by composer Hrishikesh Hirway (Song Exploder, Everything Sucks!) with Rob Lowry (Do Revenge, Miracle Workers) as music supervisor. The casting, led by Nancy Nayor (Saw X, Barbarian), has drawn praise for assembling a standout ensemble.

This stellar combination of talent in front of and behind the camera sets the film apart as one of the most eagerly awaited horror films of the year. Companion is set to be released on January 31, 2025, and is anticipated to be a significant addition to the evolving landscape of modern horror cinema.


This is no joke – Joker: Folie à Deux is a dud


Companion

The 2020s have witnessed a surge in innovative horror films that blend traditional scares with social commentary, contributing to a renewed interest and critical acclaim in the genre. Companion, directed by Drew Hancock, is an upcoming horror film that makes a strong statement about the complexities of human-robot relationships.

The narrative centers on a weekend getaway among friends at a remote cabin, which unravels into chaos after the revelation that one of the guests, Iris, portrayed by Sophie Thatcher, is a companion robot.

Jack Quaid co-stars as Josh, a billionaire whose death sets off a chain of events during the trip. The ensemble cast also includes Lukas Gage, Megan Suri, Harvey Guillén, and Rupert Friend.

Critics have lauded Companion for its smart and twisted narrative. Entertainment Weekly describes it as a “deliciously smart comedic thriller,” highlighting Thatcher’s compelling portrayal of Iris as she evolves from ignorance of her robotic nature to powerful self-awareness.

TheWrap’s William Bibbiani says, “The whole thing is freaky and funny as hell.”

Vulture praises the film’s clever construction and escalating tension, noting its balance of entertainment with light political commentary critiquing misogynistic tendencies.

Kirsten Lopez of The Film Maven declares Companion as, “… one of the first great movies of 2025, and a movie that’s only going to get timelier over the subsequent years.”

Peter DeBruge of Variety praises the film as well, “Directing his first feature, Hancock brings an impressive degree of control to a project that’s entirely execution dependent. If the timing and tone weren’t just right, the satirical edge would sour.”

The film’s exploration of themes such as male entitlement, technology, and self-determination aligns with the ongoing renaissance in the horror genre. Watch the trailer below:



Companion, written and directed by Drew Hancock, stars Sophie Thatcher (Yellowjackets, The Boogeyman), Jack Quaid (The Boys, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse), Lukas Gage (Smile 2, Dead Boy Detectives), Megan Suri (Never Have I Ever, It Lives Inside), Harvey Guillén (What We Do in the Shadows, Blue Beetle), and Rupert Friend (High Desert, Asteroid City).

The film is produced by the team behind Barbarian—Raphael Margules, J.D. Lifshitz, Zach Cregger, and Roy Lee. Executive producers are Tracy Rosenblum and Jamie Buckner.

Behind the camera, Eli Born (The Boogeyman, Hellraiser) serves as cinematographer, with production design by Scott Kuzio (Dumb Money, the Fear Street trilogy). Editors Brett W. Bachman (The Fall of the House of Usher, Pig) and Josh Ethier (Don’t Move, Orphan: First Kill) bring the film to life in post-production. Vanessa Porter (The Toxic Avenger, Archive 81) oversees costume design.

Music is crafted by composer Hrishikesh Hirway (Song Exploder, Everything Sucks!) with Rob Lowry (Do Revenge, Miracle Workers) as music supervisor. The casting, led by Nancy Nayor (Saw X, Barbarian), has drawn praise for assembling a standout ensemble.

This stellar combination of talent in front of and behind the camera sets the film apart as one of the most eagerly awaited horror films of the year. Companion is set to be released on January 31, 2025, and is anticipated to be a significant addition to the evolving landscape of modern horror cinema.


This is no joke – Joker: Folie à Deux is a dud