FilmsHorror

Companion: scifi horror film (trailer).

From the creators of Barbarian and the studio that once made you cry over a notebook (yes, that notebook), comes Companion, a horror film that redefines “date night.” Landing in cinemas on January 31, 2025, this cinematic cocktail of dread and dysfunction promises to unsettle, unnerve, and make you rethink your definition of companionship.

The film stars Sophie Thatcher (Yellowjackets, The Boogeyman) as Iris, a woman whose relationship troubles seem to involve more than awkward silences or forgotten anniversaries. Joining her are Jack Quaid (The Boys), Lukas Gage (Smile 2), Megan Suri (It Lives Inside), Harvey Guillén (What We Do in the Shadows), and Rupert Friend (Asteroid City), all playing characters who are probably regretting every choice that led them here.

Written and directed by Drew Hancock, the mastermind behind My Dead Ex (a title that now feels like foreshadowing), Companion comes packed with the grim creative pedigree of Zach Cregger and the Barbarian production team. If Barbarian taught us anything, it’s that these folks excel at turning mundane scenarios into psychological chaos. Now, they’ve set their sights on redefining love in a way that’s unlikely to make it into any Valentine’s Day card.

It’s worth noting that Companion seems to be riding the wave of a blossoming subgenre: the “sex bots gone wild” horror. These films explore our collective anxiety about blending intimacy and artificial intelligence. From M3GAN’s homicidal antics to the unsettling undercurrent of Ex Machina, there’s a growing fascination with what happens when the Alexa of your dreams turns into the nightmare who knows all your secrets.

Sure, Companion isn’t explicitly waving the sex bot flag, but the marketing’s vague references to love stories, companionship, and IMAX-worthy terror do raise a few suspicious eyebrows. After all, Hollywood knows there’s something inherently creepy about the uncanny valley of romantic robots—and it’s proving to be fertile ground for horror. As we tinker with the idea of AI companions in real life, these films tap into our primal fear of technology with too much intimacy and far too little chill.

The production design by Scott Kuzio (Fear Street trilogy) and cinematography by Eli Born (Hellraiser) promise an unsettling visual treat, while a score by Hrishikesh Hirway (Song Exploder) ensures your nerves will remain suitably shredded throughout.

Described as a “new kind of love story” (whatever that means in horror-speak), Companion is poised to walk the line between emotional resonance and outright terror. With IMAX screenings available, you can experience every scream, shadow, and sinister whisper in vivid, heart-stopping detail. If you’re looking for a reason to clutch your companion’s hand (or reconsider the whole concept of companionship entirely), grab your tickets now. Whether it’s a cautionary tale about love, technology, or just a good excuse to scream into your popcorn, Companion is here to show us that love hurts—and sometimes, it’s programmed to kill.

ColonelFrog

Colonel Frog is a long time science fiction and fantasy fan. He loves reading novels in the field, and he also enjoys watching movies (as well as reading lots of other genre books).

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