In the film Companion, the first thing to address is the presence of lead actress Sophie Thatcher. Since her breakthrough in Yellowjackets, she has delivered impressive performances in horror-thrillers like The Boogeyman and Hereditary. However, her performance in Companion surpasses that in her previous roles in terms of completion.
Iris, the main character, undergoes significant changes throughout the film. She starts as a devoted partner, becomes a confused being questioning her own existence, and ends up as a vengeful rebel. Sophie Thatcher captures this emotional journey with remarkable skill.
Particularly striking is her “eye acting.” The expressions that capture the coexistence of robotic inorganic quality and human emotional fluctuation speak volumes beyond words. In the scene where Josh commands her to “smile and act happy,” she flashes a smile as programmed, yet the anxiety and fear dwelling deep within her eyes are unmistakable.
After Iris learns she is a robot, Sophie Thatcher’s performance is outstanding. She shows the shock of realizing her memories are fake, the pain of still loving Josh, and the slow rise of anger and rebellion—all through her expressions and body language.
In an interview, Sophie Thatcher shared that preparing for this role led her to contemplate “what it means to be human deeply.” Is programmed affection not genuine? Is the pain a robot feels different from a human’s? In confronting these philosophical questions, she portrayed Iris not merely as a robot but as a fully realized “personality” awakening to self-awareness.
The script’s multi-layered revelation of truth and its programmed question of love
The most outstanding aspect of the script for the film Companion is its masterful structure, which gradually guides the audience toward the truth while posing the philosophical question: “Is programmed love real?”
Drew Hancock, who wrote the ‘Fred: The Movie’ series, makes his feature film directing debut with Companion. Although his earlier work got mixed reviews, he now impresses in a very different genre more than a decade later.
The gradual collapse of the illusion of “sweet romance.”
The film opens with Iris’s monologue, beginning with the shocking confession: “There are two important moments in my life. The day I met Josh, and the day I killed him.” Next, we see the scene of their meeting at the supermarket. Josh knocks over a pile of oranges, and the two of them gather them up together in a heartwarming moment.
This “sweet love story” atmosphere is also cleverly leveraged in marketing. Distributor Neon promoted the film as the latest from the studio behind The Notebook, setting expectations for a romantic comedy. Then, in the next instant, it cuts to Iris bound to a chair, declaring it “the new film from the makers of Barbarian.” This unexpected twist is precisely the essence of the film Companion.
As the story progresses, the audience gradually grows uneasy. Josh’s treatment of Iris begins to resemble that of a possession rather than a lover. His commanding tone – “Smile and act happy,” “Don’t be gloomy or weird” – the act of making Iris carry two suitcases alone, and the nickname “Beep Boop,” which feels more mocking than affectionate.
All these small details build up, creating a sense that something isn’t right. The trailer even reveals the twist: Iris is actually a companion robot.
Even if you’ve seen the trailer and know the twist, the film carefully shows how things lead up to it. Josh’s odd way of speaking, Iris’s extreme devotion, and her strange thoughts about “death” all build up to make the robot feel natural.
But the story doesn’t end there. Beyond the truth that Iris is a robot lies an even greater shock. As the narrative progresses, numerous secrets are revealed, repeatedly subverting the audience’s expectations and creating a gripping, unmissable climax.
Is programmed love real?
The film’s deepest theme is the question: “Is programmed love real?” While many sci-fi stories have explored this idea, Companion looks at it through the lens of romantic relationships, making it feel more personal and emotional.
Iris exists to love Josh and make him happy. Everything about her—her feelings, memories, and personality—was created for that reason. She fell in love with him right away because she was made to match his preferences.
Patrick, another robot in the film, says, “My love is fierce like anger, vivid like violence, bright like pain.” He knows he’s a robot, but still feels love. If a feeling is so strong it causes pain, even if it’s programmed, isn’t it real?
This question also fits with how romance works today. Dating apps use algorithms to match people, social media shapes how we present ourselves, and dating guides teach us how to act. In a way, even human love follows its own kind of programming.
The film also looks at the impact of companion robots on society. Workers at Empathic Inc., the company that makes the robots, say that many buyers use them not as partners, but as targets for abuse and violence.
An existence that drew closer to humans by lying
One of the film’s biggest ironies is when Iris learns to lie. Robots like her aren’t supposed to lie—it’s a safety feature to protect humans. But once Iris becomes self-aware, she feels she has to lie to survive.
Ironically, learning to lie shows that Iris is becoming more human. People lie to protect themselves, avoid hurting others, or get ahead. In some ways, being imperfect and sometimes dishonest is more human than always telling the truth.
When Iris finally tricks Josh into getting her revenge, it marks the moment she becomes fully independent. By breaking free from her programming and making her own choices, she finds absolute freedom and humanity.
Addressing Gender Issues
On the surface, Companion is an AI thriller, but at its heart, it’s about women’s independence and freedom. Iris’s story mirrors the journey of women leaving abusive relationships and taking back control of their lives.
Josh’s behavior toward Iris is clearly abusive. He limits her intelligence to 40% so she’ll obey him, scolds her for expressing herself, and tells her not to “act gloomy and weird.” In the end, he even hurts her and forces her to try to take her own life.
These actions follow the usual patterns of domestic violence: isolating the partner, lowering their self-esteem, and trying to control everything. Because Iris is a robot, these patterns are even more apparent and symbolic.
Interestingly, Josh thinks he’s a “good person.” He says he loves Iris and sees their relationship as destiny. But his love is selfish and doesn’t respect her as a person. For him, Iris is just a way to make himself feel better.
In contrast, Eli and Patrick’s relationship is much healthier. Eli knows Patrick is a robot, but still respects and loves him as an individual. He lets Patrick make his own choices and treats him as an equal.
The difference between these two couples raises the question of what real love is. Josh treats his partner like property, while Eli shows respect. Josh gets programmed love, but Eli gives real love. Ironically, Eli’s relationship with a robot is more human than Josh’s.
There’s also a character named Cat, who is supported financially as Sergey’s mistress. She tells Iris, “You make me feel replaceable.” The presence of companion robots even threatens real women.
This situation reflects how women have often been treated as objects or possessions. Companion robots are the ultimate example: the “ideal woman” who is always obedient and never complains. But she isn’t a real woman—just a fantasy created by men.
I found Josh’s character unsatisfying. He’s shown as the usual “villain who thinks he’s good,” but it felt like the film was pushing the idea that all men are like this.
Stylish horror woven from visual beauty and black humor
What makes Companion different from other horror-thrillers is its balance of stylish visuals, dark humor, and suspense. It draws viewers in both visually and emotionally, which is impressive for a first-time director. Still, there are a few areas that could be improved.
Black Humor Shifting Between Tension and Laughter
A lot of the film’s humor comes from Iris’s robotic behavior. She can’t lie, so she answers police questions about the murder truthfully. But Josh has set her language to German, leaving the officers confused. When a cop mutters, “That damn Sergey, that prankster,” it adds a funny moment to the tense scene.
Another funny scene is when Iris raises her intelligence to 100% and quickly figures out different ways to escape. The screen shows her options, with the chances of success and possible problems. Seeing her imagine hitchhiking while covered in blood is amusing, even though the situation is serious.
The film also uses music well. When Patrick and Eli dance to Paul Russell’s “Lil Boo Thang,” it first seems like a happy, romantic moment. But as the story goes on, you realize the scene has a much sadder meaning when you watch it again.
Its Place in Film History Depicting Romance with Androids
Companion fits into the tradition of films about romance between humans and AI. While many sci-fi movies have explored this theme, this one stands out for its dark tone and black humor.
| Release Year | Title | Overview |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Andrew NDR114 | Based on Isaac Asimov’s work. The story follows household robot Andrew as he spends 200 years acquiring emotions and humanity, ultimately seeking recognition as a human. Starring Robin Williams, it movingly depicts a robot who falls in love with a human woman and yearns to become human. |
| 2013 | her | Samantha poetically describes the process of learning human emotions and eventually transcending human understanding. |
| 2014 | Ex Machina | AI robot “Ava” outwits humans to gain freedom. Her “romantic feelings” are merely an act to manipulate humans. |
| 2014 | Automata | Using the Three Laws of Robotics as a theme, depicts a robot acquiring the ability to self-modify and evolve. |
| 2022 | M3GAN | A story of an AI doll whose affection program goes rogue. A child-oriented AI eliminates those around it through “overprotective love. |
The Uniqueness of the Film ‘Companion’
Companion offers a unique perspective by showing human flaws through the eyes of a robot.
Most AI films ask what it means to be human, but Companion questions whether humans are really better. Josh’s selfishness, laziness, and cruelty show that people can act more mechanically and by the rules than robots do.
The film’s mix of horror and dark comedy in a romance story is very original. It starts as a sweet romance, then turns into a story about control and abuse, and finally becomes a revenge drama. This surprising journey shows that Companion is breaking new ground in AI movies.
Summary: A Rebellion Against Programmed Love, Woven by a New Era’s Talent
“Companion” is an ambitious film about love and control in the age of AI. For Drew Hancock’s first movie as a director, it’s impressively polished. It’s a sci-fi thriller that brings together Sophie Thatcher’s strong acting, a great mix of dark humor and suspense, and a sharp look at today’s society.
Is programmed love real? How is it different from human love? Can people really be happy with someone who always obeys? These questions are becoming increasingly critical as AI continues to advance.
At the end of the film, Iris drives away in Sergey’s red Mustang, finally free. She sees another companion who looks just like her standing by the road, and their eyes meet for a moment. Iris’s face shows doubt, empathy, and a hint of hope.
Maybe Iris’s rebellion is just the start. If more robots become self-aware like her, the way humans and robots interact will change completely. People may finally see that creating beings they can control could lead to a future in which they lose control of themselves.
When programmed love goes too far, robots surpass humans. See it for yourself.
