The 2025 film, Companion, arrives with a fascinating premise and a timely exploration of complex themes. However, despite boasting a standout performance from Sophie Thatcher and tackling relevant societal issues, the film repeatedly stumbles due to its overly prescriptive structure, awkward dialogue, and ambition that outstrips its execution.

The Film's Structure Deters Interest

From the marketing campaign to the opening dialogue, Companion suffers from an overabundance of explanation. The film seemingly telegraphs every plot point, character motivation, and thematic beat, leaving little room for audience discovery. This approach feels counterproductive to storytelling, effectively removing the element of surprise and diminishing the emotional impact of key scenes. Instead of allowing the narrative to unfold organically, Companion holds the audience's hand every step of the way, explaining what's happening, why it's happening, and what it supposedly means.

This constant narration, both explicit and implicit, creates a sense of detachment, making it difficult to become fully invested in the characters' journeys. The content leading up to these pre-ordained "moments" feels generally bland, as if the film is simply going through the motions to reach its predetermined checkpoints. The joy of cinema often lies in the unexpected, in the gradual unveiling of character and plot. Companion robs the audience of this pleasure, opting instead for a paint-by-numbers approach that ultimately undermines its potential.

Awkward and Drawn-Out Dialogue

The film's structural issues are further compounded by its often awkward and drawn-out dialogue. Numerous scenes linger a little too long, with conversations that feel stilted and unnatural. What might have been intended as character development or dramatic tension often comes across as simply tedious.

This pacing problem is particularly noticeable in group scenes, which feel too staged and unconvincing. The characters interact with each other in a way that lacks authenticity, their conversations feeling more like recited lines than genuine exchanges. The dialogue often feels like it's serving the plot rather than the characters, resulting in interactions that prevent any sense of magnetism. This issue is not universal—some smaller, more intimate scenes fare better—but the overall problem significantly detracts from the film's overall impact.

Sophie Thatcher Shines

Despite the film's numerous weaknesses, one undeniable bright spot is Sophie Thatcher's performance. Even within the confines of a flawed narrative, Thatcher manages to shine, showcasing her true star power and emotive talent.

In Companion, she embodies her character with a captivating blend of vulnerability and resilience. Her performance is engaging, nuanced, and deeply felt, often elevating the material beyond its limitations. Thatcher's ability to convey a series of foreign emotions with subtlety and grace is truly enthralling. And by the time it comes to an end, she imbues her character with a sense of humanity that she’s easily the most compelling aspect of the entire film.

Relevant and Necessary Themes, but Heavy-Handed Delivery

Companion tackles a range of relevant and necessary themes, including misogyny, toxic relationships, unsettling ethics surrounding artificial intelligence, and the ever-present struggle with power dynamics. These ideas hold significant weight in contemporary society, and the film deserves credit for addressing them. However, the ambitious narrative attempts to blend elements of comedy, drama, horror, and thriller, cause this genre-bending approach to feel disjointed and tonally inconsistent—preventing organic progression.

While the film's intentions are commendable, its heavy-handed execution and zany sequence of events diminish the impact. And the themes, while important, are often presented with a lack of nuance, leaving the audience with a sense of being preached to rather than engaged in a meaningful dialogue.

Score: 5/10

Despite its sensible ideas, Companion is a middling cinematic experience that fails to fully capitalize on its promising ingredients.

MORE IN MOVIES