Companion – Movie Reviews by Ry!
Companion – In the Eyes of Love & Existence
Within the ideal of circumstance, what is it we hope to find? Life is full of possibilities, pushing us to move in one direction or another. For film, circumstances can be a manner of cliché choices, but it could also breed unpredictability. No matter which path comes to fruition, in the end, the choices made will be worth the visual escape. In this review, I look at the latest thriller to hit the big screen. From an idea of what romance is, we head down a path of a twisting tale of purpose. Even with some convenient moments, Companion is a twisted tale of blind love and auspicious choices.
When a weekend trip turns upside down, Iris (Sophie Thatcher) will learn the truth, and must decide between love or freedom. When it comes to thrillers, it is a manner of seeing the ominous trail within the experience. Beyond the aspect of character or story, it is the unfolding nature of truth that plays to the intensity of the situation. With this film, it is a thriller that provides layers in the ideas of emotions and existence. In the beginning, we are introduced to Iris and her boyfriend, Josh (Jack Quaid), as they embark on a weekend getaway with their friends at a billionaire’s cabin. After a series of conversational moments, the general mood starts to become weird, especially for Iris. As a series of unfortunate events happen over the weekend, it leads to Iris being held captive and Josh revealing the truth: she is a companion robot (plot point). From this moment, circumstances change which forces Iris to figure out a way to survive her predicament. As this happens, she learns about her purpose and Josh’s (and the other’s) true motives, building the thriller motif of ‘survival’ within a reflective appeal of life’s desires. As the filmmakers continue to play along those genre elements, they slowly evolve the narrative into an appeal of what it means to live. Placed against a sleuth of character revelations and shock & awe twists, the thematic peeling of the moment builds up the introspective through elevated tension. As Iris and Josh seek reasons for their own survival, the circumstances breed a connective bond for each other. This creates a delicate thread of smart dialogue and raw personal interactions, leaving you on a foggy complexion of what it means to love or live. This intuitive direction helps elevation the thriller motif, leaving you with that alluring factor of what will happen to Iris.
As things continue to unravel on the weekend getaway, more reveals come about that add fuel to the fire of Iris and Josh’s survival. As everyone involved starts to fall victim to choice, it becomes a manner of what is truly right or wrong. With everything coming to that final confrontation, this leads to a third act of gore against characterized delight, building to a fulfilling climax and epilogue. Companion goes beyond its foundation to provide an original but smart thriller. If you are a fan of this genre or want something that is truly original, this is one for you. Even if you’re not a fan, I think there is enough here to say it is worth the full price of admission.
Full Score – 4 out of 5 (Full Price)