“Are you robo-shaming?”

Story: Iris heads to a “rustic cabin” in the woods with her boyfriend Josh. Two other couples are already there, and a weekend of fun awaits. Or does it? When another woman’s partner sexually attacks Iris, Iris lashes out. And that’s when things get really crazy.

Scares: More satirical than scary
Splat Factor: An unintentional murderbot. So, yeah. There’s plenty of red.

Subgenre: Good For Her Horror Satire
Year Released: 2025
Remake, Sequel or OG (Original Ghoul)?: Original, but you’ll catch delicious whiffs of other films scattered throughout.

Trick or Treat?: Finally! After a slew of clunkers this month, a film I actually enjoyed watching. Companion is the kind of slyly satirical piece that sits firmly in the Good For Her camp. Lots of blood, a cast that’s quick with the quips, and an Westworld-esque vibe that had me sighing happily.

You gotta love a horror movie that knowingly winks at you. When Iris finally gets a hold of her programming, she sees that Josh had set her intelligence level to 40%. She sighs “oh, really?”, and turns it to 100%. No, she doesn’t immediately turn into the T-2000. She simply has a better understanding and knowledge. Companion is about as realistic as having a humanoid partner who could pass the Turing test could be in the year of our lord 2025. And it’s delightful.

Sophie Thatcher is amazing as Iris, with her blend of humanity and mechanical prowess. Thatcher’s physicality sells the idea that this character is in fact a “companion robot”. She delivers heartbreak, anger, determination, and finally, a happiness that’s hard earned. And Jack Quaid is quickly becoming one of my favorite multi-purpose performers. His ability to slip effortlessly between sweet and smarmy is almost too good. Special shout-out to Harvey Guillén, everybody’s favorite lackey from What We Do in the Shadows, as Josh’s friend Eli. Eli is Josh’s echo, a man who seems faithful to boyfriend Patrick, but who’s just as shallow and narcissistic once his shell has been pierced. Guillén’s deadpan comedic chops are perfect here, as is his onscreen chemistry with Lucas Gage’s delightfully vapid Patrick.

Casting the group with folks who can easily swing between serious and comedic was a killer idea. (I couldn’t help myself, I’m a pun machine ya’ll.) That the screenplay is chock full of dialogue they could – and did – really sink their teeth into, was a big plus. This could have turned into a thriller (which could have also been fantastic; check out 2017’s Revenge if you’re down for that kind of thing), but instead is an absolute hoot of a horror that’s equal parts bloody and comical. Writer/director Drew Hancock finds the sweet spot between the two and never lets go. Even the throwaway lines are gold; Josh named Iris after the song that was playing when she was delivered. That gives us a ton of subtle exposition as we chuckle at the no imagination-having loser.

A fun mix of Ex Machina and Ready or Not, with moments that reminded me of another darkly humorous film, Sissy. If you haven’t seen Companion yet, treat yourself.

Score: 4.5 out of 5 pumpkins