Sophie Thatcher, a rising actress known for ‘Hereditary’ and ‘Yellowjackets’, takes on a new challenge as a companion robot in the sci-fi thriller ‘Companion’. The film begins like a sweet love story similar to ‘The Notebook’, but quickly shifts in a surprising direction. It’s already getting a lot of praise ahead of its January 2025 release. The film stands out with its dry, stylish look and a great mix of dark humor and suspense. Sophie Thatcher’s strong performance brings out the film’s humor, sadness, and emotional release. For a first-time director, it’s impressively well-made and is likely to be a key moment in Thatcher’s career, especially in how it explores love and control in the age of AI.

Director Zack Kreger, who made ‘Barbarian,’ returns with a bigger-budget film. This horror mystery tells the story of 17 children who vanish from their class at 2:17 AM, with the truth revealed from different viewpoints. The film uses a tense, non-linear structure, an unsettling mood like Us and Hereditary, and explores social themes in the style of Jordan Peele. While some viewers are split on the ending, the script and direction have earned strong praise. Blending horror, suspense, and mystery, WEAPONS stands out as a must-see film for 2025.