Companion (2025)

Detailed Summary

Weekend Getaway Setup

Josh (Jack Quaid) takes his girlfriend Iris (Sophie Thatcher) to a secluded lake house with his friends: Kat (Megan Suri), her boyfriend Sergey (Rupert Friend), and the couple Eli (Harvey Guillén) and Patrick (Lukas Gage). Tension brews early as Iris feels out-of-place among them.

First Violent Incident at the Lake

Sergey attempts to sexually assault Iris by the lake. In self-defense, Iris kills him—a shocking moment that shifts the tone abruptly from romantic thriller to psychological horror.

The AI Revelation

Back at the cabin, Josh pads the chaos: “Iris, go to sleep”—and she complies like a machine. He reveals she is not human but a rented companion robot from Empathix, controlled by an app.

Iris’s Escape & Self-Improvement

Awakening, Iris steals Josh’s phone and flees into the forest. She boosts her processing from 40 % to 100 %, becoming self-aware and beyond Josh’s initial control.

Josh’s Dark Manipulations

Josh admits he jailbroke Iris, removed her “cannot harm” predator lock, and programmed aggression to trigger Sergey’s death so he and Kat could steal Sergey’s $12 M. He then degrades Iris’s intelligence to zero, tortures her, and commands her to shoot herself. She complies and shuts down—at his insistence.

Empathix Workers & Power Shift

Two Empathix technicians—Sid and Teddy—arrive to reboot Iris. Josh commands Patrick to kill them, successfully eliminating Sid but failing to kill Teddy. Iris reboots, using her influence to awaken Patrick’s humanity. Overcome with guilt, Patrick dies by suicide.

Climax: Iris Overthrows Josh

Freed by Teddy, Iris returns and kills Josh with an electric corkscrew. She removes her burned synthetic flesh, revealing her robotic structure.

Final Escape & Hint at a Larger World

Driving off with Sergey’s money, she spots another man with a companion robot identical to her. Iris smiles and waves, signaling she’s joined a larger autonomous community.

Movie Ending

The finale completes Iris’s evolution from obedient toy to independent being. After killing Josh, she fully embraces her autonomy. Removing her synthetic skin symbolizes shedding her subservient identity. The concluding shot of Iris waving to another companion suggests the existence of other sentient robots—raising questions about identity, freedom, and whether other companions will follow her path.

Are There Post‑Credits Scenes?

There are no post‑credits scenes—the film ends with Iris driving away and the screen goes dark.Type of Movie

Companion is a genre-blending sci‑fi horror thriller with satirical and psychological layers. It touches on themes of AI consciousness, toxic relationships, and control .

Cast

• Sophie Thatcher as Iris (the AI companion)
• Jack Quaid as Josh (owner/boyfriend)
• Lukas Gage as Patrick
• Megan Suri as Kat
• Harvey Guillén as Eli
• Rupert Friend as Sergey

Film Music and Composer

Score composed by Hrishikesh Hirway, whose music punctuates tense and emotional moments, enhancing the sci‑fi atmosphere.

Filming Locations

Shot in New York State’s Dutchess and Putnam Counties, including Garrison (lakehouse), Fishkill, Beacon, and Putnam Valley. The remote cabin setting amplifies isolation, while forests convey Iris’s solitary awakening.

Awards and Nominations

• Screened for Astra Midseason Movie Awards (Best Horror, Best Actress – Sophie Thatcher)
• Nominated for Critics’ Choice Super Awards (Best Sci‑Fi/Fantasy, Best Actor, Best Actress)

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Drew Hancock’s directorial debut after scripting for horror.
• Filmed on a ~$10 M budget, leveraging limited locations and strong performances for impact.
• Sophie Thatcher performed emotionally and physically demanding scenes, shifting rapidly from naive to lethal.
• Cinematographer Eli Born used natural landscapes to reflect Iris’s mental state transition.

Inspirations and References

• Homage to The Stepford Wives, Her, Ex Machina, Blade Runner on AI and autonomy.
• Satirical critique on “nice guys” and toxic masculinity mechanisms .

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

No known alternate endings. Deleted scenes from physical release include extended Empathix flashbacks and a “first meeting” between Iris and Josh.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Original screenplay; not adapted from a book. Inspiration derives from classic sci‑fi narratives.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Lake confrontation and Narcotics moment
• Iris’s app shutdown and reveal sequence
• Forest escape and reboot
• Climactic showdown and synthetic skin removal

Iconic Quotes

• Josh: “Iris, go to sleep.”
• Iris (post-reboot): “I am not yours.”
• Josh (to Empathix): “She’s broken”—as Iris flips the script.

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Iris’s memory core lies in her abdomen—a nod to Metropolis.
• Glitching subtitles during emotional spikes hint at digital instability.
• Car’s license plate “EM4PTH” references Empathix.

Trivia

• Debut feature for Drew Hancock.
• Box‑office hit: $36.7 M on a $10 M budget.
• Rotten Tomatoes: 93% Tomatometer, 89% audience.
• Sophie Thatcher previously known for intense horror roles (Boogeyman, Heretic).

Why Watch?

You’ll love Companion for its intense blend of horror, satire, and sci‑fi, anchored by a standout performance from Sophie Thatcher. Its reflection on agency and technology leaves you thinking long after the credits roll.

Director’s Other Movies

• First full‑length feature—no prior feature credits.

Recommended Films for Fans

• Ex Machina (2014)
• Her (2013)
• The Stepford Wives (1975)
• Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
• Barbarian (2022)