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)

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.

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.

Not knowing anything about this before viewing thought it might be a tame rom-com or something. Oh how wrong I was!

There are a number of twists within the movie that are unexpected (or are they?) to the point I do want to watch it again to see if the signs were there. The characters are likeable and very unlikeable throughout. There are some very funny moments where the cinema audience all laughed and the plot, all be it ridiculous, is enjoyable and you can imagine it happening in the not so near future.

There are definite Black Mirror elements and this only adds to the fluid story line. It's a really interesting take on the future and above all a whole lot of fun.

Great film!

Sophie Thatcher was born for this role, masterfully balancing vulnerability and cruelty in a truly distinctive way. She's the new face of modern-day horror.

As soon as the credits roll, the thought-provoking social critique will leave you contemplating what society is turning into. Avoid the trailers at all costs, this is best experienced with no prior knowledge.

It's reflective on the way specific individuals are and who will turn out to be when certain outcomes occur. The concept, fast-pace, sharp comedy, and extreme bloodshed all add in together for a very fun and unexpected time at the cinema.