The first trailer for Companion did not give away much about the plot—until later trailers. Personally, I tried to avoid watching too much of the trailers so I could be surprised when I watched the film, and I was pleasantly surprised. If you’re like me and avoided the spoilers, you’ll be a good ways into the movie before you realize that Sophie Thatcher’s character, Iris, is actually a robot. She’s an AI pleasure partner with no strings attached—until, of course, she starts to develop feelings and act more humanlike.
Table Of Content
RELATED: Netflix’s Zero Day Cyber Thriller with Robert De Niro Is Perfectly Timed
RELATED: Cameron Diaz Is ‘Back in Action’ and Brings the Nostalgia With Jamie Foxx
Robots with feelings, huh? Guess Will Smith really did warn us about this! But seriously, you’re going to be rooting for Iris through most of the film because even though Jack Quaid’s character Josh comes across as a bit of a jerk at first, you soon realize he’s actually a loser in his own right. His stupidity and how he treats Iris are ultimately what cause the mess that follows.
The movie opens with their quirky meet-cute at a grocery store. It’s one of those moments she’ll later call “life-defining.” The other? Oh, just the time she killed him. Yeah, we’ll get to that. And the grocery store meet up is not as romantic as you think.
Fast forward, and Josh is very much alive, taking Iris on a weekend getaway with friends to a secluded lakehouse. The group includes Kat (Megan Suri), who’s having an affair with the shady property owner Sergey (Rupert Friend), and Eli (Harvey Guillén), who brings his boyfriend Patrick (Lukas Gage) for some luxury R&R,. Last time we saw Luke in Smile 2, he was smashing his brains out with a weight, so it’s nice to see him in a role that’s a little less gruesome! However, his character’s charm takes a dark turn after an accidental tragedy. (I won’t spoil the details, but trust me, it’s a major plot point!)
Things really start to unravel when Iris gets violent—but honestly, that moment feels inevitable, right? Writer-director Drew Hancock doesn’t try to trick you with twists or hidden surprises. From the start, he’s pretty upfront about where things are headed. Companion isn’t so much about the events themselves; it’s more about how things unfold—and how a single action can completely alter the trajectory of everything that follows.
While the film is gripping, many of us will likely relate to Iris’s journey on a personal level. Throughout her struggles, she’s trapped in an abusive relationship, and watching her fight for control is both painful and empowering. There are moments when she finally takes the reins of her own life, refusing to let Josh control her anymore. That’s her real moment of freedom. She’s no longer under the spell of her abuser—and for many people, that moment of reclaiming power is something they’ll recognize, whether they’ve experienced it themselves or seen someone close to them go through it.
The power in Iris’s experiences is clear, and it resonates even more when we see it reflected in Kat’s story. When Kat talks about being Sergei’s accessory, you can feel the weight of it—many people, both women and men, can relate to feeling like they’re just a part of someone else’s life, rather than an equal partner. Iris’s journey is ultimately one of strength, resilience, and overcoming, and it speaks to anyone who’s ever struggled to break free from the chains of an unhealthy relationship.
RELATED: 25 Most Anticipated Films of 2025
Performances That Balance Each Other Out
When it comes to the performance side of things. If you’re looking for depth, Sophie Thatcher nails it. Iris may be a robot, but she’s not robotic. There’s real emotion in her character, especially her love for Josh. It’s this sincerity that keeps Iris from feeling like a one-dimensional plot device—she feels alive in a way that makes you root for her, even when things get messy.
Jack Quaid is equally great, playing Josh as a likeable, but totally out-of-his-depth, lovable loser. He’s the kind of guy who means well but keeps screwing up in hilarious ways. The movie’s tone really hinges on his performance—when he’s funny, the film feels light and breezy, but when he gets serious, things get real dark. It’s a delicate balance, and Quaid pulls it off.
Companion isn’t trying to serve up a revolutionary theme. Instead, it’s a blend of horror, romance, and comedy, perfectly balanced for an entertaining ride. The film dives into the complexities of relationships and the power of emotional connection. But it also raises some thought-provoking questions: Can the way we treat AI be dehumanizing? Can AI actually have feelings like humans? And if they can, do they deserve to be treated the same? But then, what’s the point of creating them in the first place? After all, they might look and act human, but their memories are essentially just data—repetitive hard drives filled with manuals of programmed responses.
