Companion — When your AI assistant is a little too helpful

The internet has fallen for Iris, a sentient AI that's sparking more debates about consciousness than most human characters this year. Companion, starring Jack Quaid and Sophie Thatcher, has quietly become one of the most discussed films of the season among genre fans. The sci-fi thriller about an AI companion robot whose programming takes an unexpected turn has resonated with viewers for its clever exploration of technology, autonomy, and the unintended consequences of creating machines that can think and feel.

What makes Companion particularly effective is how it uses its premise to subvert expectations. "It's a really fun comedy/horror with an AI as the final girl," observed one viewer, highlighting the film's genre-blending approach. Many fans specifically recommend going in blind, with one reviewer suggesting audiences avoid even looking at promotional materials beforehand to preserve the experience. This sentiment appears frequently, with viewers noting how the film's twists and turns work best when unexpected.

The performances have received particular praise, with Sophie Thatcher emerging as the breakout star. "Between Companion, Heretic, and Yellowjackets, I'd be amazed if Sophie's talented ass isn't the next big thing in Hollywood!" wrote one enthusiastic fan. While Jack Quaid has divided opinion somewhat, with some viewers noting he "plays the same character in everything," others praised his ability to create a character audiences love to hate – an essential component for the film's themes to work effectively.

Surprisingly, Companion has sparked fascinating conversations about artificial intelligence ethics and gender politics. Several viewers noted how the film serves as "a direct hit for incel culture," while others debated whether the movie's central metaphor about AI consciousness effectively parallels human experiences. This subtext has given the film staying power beyond its initial release, with some comparing it to similar AI-focused movies like Ex Machina – films that use science fiction premises to explore very human questions.

The film's clever deployment of technical details hasn't gone unnoticed either. One viewer highlighted a particularly ingenious moment where Iris "switches her language to German when the cop showed up because she knew she wouldn't be able to lie to him" – exactly the kind of subtle worldbuilding that elevates genre films. Other viewers noted logical inconsistencies that bothered them, particularly around the AI's capabilities, with one asking why manufacturers would build "sex robots with hulk strength" in the first place.

The overall reception to Companion has been mostly positive, with many finding it among the most enjoyable films they've seen recently. While some viewers found it "just ok" or felt it "tries to do a bit too much," the majority appreciate its inventive approach to familiar sci-fi concepts. Box office numbers suggest it performed modestly (with one report noting it earned around $33 million worldwide), but it appears to be building a dedicated following that could make it a future cult classic.

What makes Companion worth discussing isn't just its high-concept premise, but how it uses that framework to deliver genuine surprises and meaningful themes. In a landscape filled with predictable genre exercises, Companion demonstrates that science fiction can still be both entertaining and thought-provoking when executed with intelligence and care. Whether viewers ultimately side with the human or the AI may depend on their own relationship with technology – but either way, they'll likely come away with more questions than they had going in, the hallmark of truly effective speculative fiction.