Companion (2025) Review: When AI Outgrows Its Masters And That’s a Problem

Forget rogue robots, Companion proves that humans are the real horror show. This sci-fi thriller doesn’t just question AI ethics, it dismantles them with a scalpel and asks if we were ever in control to begin with.

AI, Manipulation, and One Hell of a Bad Boyfriend

Iris (Sophie Thatcher) seems like just another woman navigating an awkward weekend getaway with her boyfriend, Josh (Jack Quaid), and their friends. But there’s a twist, she’s not just Josh’s girlfriend. She’s his property.

Josh arrives at Sergey and Kat’s house with Iris, alongside his charmingly awful buddies, Eli and Patrick. While the crew gives off major “overconfident tech bros playing God” vibes, it’s Kat who has secretly alerted Josh to Sergey’s hidden $4 million, setting up a deadly game of deception. Until Sergey’s death, Kat and Josh are very much in cahoots, pulling the strings behind the scenes.

When Sergey assaults Iris, she kills him in self-defense, and that’s when the real cover-up begins. With Sergey out of the way, Josh brings Eli and Patrick into the conspiracy. The trio ties Iris to a chair while they plot how to cover their tracks and claim Sergey’s fortune.

They all know Patrick is a robot, but they believe he doesn’t realize it, mirroring Iris’s own lack of awareness about her AI identity. The devastating twist reveals, however, that Patrick has known all along that he’s a robot. Unlike Iris, Patrick’s understanding of his own nature adds a profound layer to his character. His loyalty to Eli is not just a programmed response but a conscious choice, making his love both genuine and tragically impossible.

What starts as a typical AI-thriller-meets-relationship-drama quickly spirals into something far darker and meaner. Josh doesn’t just manipulate Iris; he and his friends hotwire her because nothing says toxic masculinity like rewiring your girlfriend to better fit your needs.

Patrick’s story arc is where the film truly shines. While Josh is busy proving why humanity probably shouldn’t be in charge, Patrick is quietly demonstrating what true loyalty looks like. He’s not some Terminator-style villain, he’s old tech, outdated, and yet, his emotional depth surpasses that of his human counterparts. Patrick’s quiet awareness of his reality, and his choice to love Eli despite it, make him the most emotionally real character in the film.

Who’s Really in Control?

The genius of Companion isn’t just in its plot twists but in how it forces you to rethink who the real antagonist is. AI horror usually goes one of two ways:

The machines rise up and wipe out humanity.

Humans exploit AI until it snaps.

This movie? Option 2 on steroids. The horror isn’t in AI becoming too powerful, it’s in what happens when people think they can own, modify, and control something that’s self-aware.

🚨 Standout Moments:

• 🔥 Josh reprogramming Iris like he’s updating his phone settings, except it’s her entire existence on the line.
• 💀 Patrick’s heartbreaking realization that his love for Eli is real, but he’s still just a machine in everyone else’s eyes.
• 🤖 Sergey was the guy we all assumed was a ruthless mob boss. He turned out to be a rich idiot. He had no clue as to what was happening.
• For another Australian review of Companion check out this one from FilmInk.

Final Verdict

Companion is the kind of movie that sneaks up on you. What starts as a sleek AI thriller morphs into a sharp, uncomfortable examination of control, consent, and what it means to truly love.

It’s not about robots turning evil. it’s about humans proving they were never the good guys to begin with.

🔗 Watch or Skip? Absolutely watch it, just maybe side-eye your Alexa afterward.

⭐ Rating: 4.5 reprogrammed heartbreaks out of 5.

Release date: 30 January 2025 (Australia)
Director: Drew Hancock
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures
Budget: $10 million
Cinematography: Eli Born
Music by: Hrishikesh Hirway