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Jack Quaid Battles a Murderous A.I. Girlfriend in Companion — A Breakup Movie With a Bloody Twist
Jan
Jack Quaid is ditching his good-guy image for something darker in Companion, a romantic thriller that takes a wild turn when his character’s android girlfriend malfunctions — or maybe she doesn’t.
In Entertainment Weekly‘s exclusive first look at the trailer, Quaid’s character, Josh, learns the hard way that tampering with his robot partner, Iris (played by Yellowjackets star Sophie Thatcher), has deadly consequences.
What starts as a weekend getaway with friends at a remote cabin quickly spirals into chaos. In the chilling trailer, Iris narrates that the two happiest moments of her life were the day she met Josh… and the day she killed him.
Not Your Typical Robot Thriller
Writer/director Drew Hancock is quick to emphasize that Companion isn’t just another “A.I. gone wrong” movie.
“It’s not like any other robot movie that’s out right now,” Hancock says. “It’s not M3GAN, and it’s not Subservience [the upcoming Megan Fox movie]. This is a robot story where it’s not A.I. malfunctioning — it’s A.I. working exactly as intended. And that’s what makes it terrifying.”
Rather than a typical horror story about a machine turning evil, Companion explores themes of self-discovery and toxic relationships, turning the genre on its head. “At its core, this is a breakup movie about a woman — who just happens to be a robot — finding empowerment through her own self-awareness,” Hancock explains.
Jack Quaid Goes Against Type as a “Real S—head”
Known for playing affable, lovable characters like Hughie on The Boys, Quaid relished the chance to portray a darker role in Companion. His character Josh is far from a hero.
“A lesser movie would’ve made my character the protagonist and Iris the antagonist,” Quaid says. “But in this story, Josh is selfish, manipulative, and deeply flawed. The twist is that the character with the most humanity is the robot.”
Quaid admits he’s excited to see audiences root against him. “Josh is a real s—head,” he says with a grin.
Sophie Thatcher’s Iris: A Robot Finding Her Humanity
Fresh off her acclaimed roles in Heretic, The Boogeyman, and Yellowjackets, Sophie Thatcher delivers a complex performance as Iris, a robot navigating her own awakening.
“Iris is lost in this toxic relationship and doesn’t even know who she is,” Thatcher says. “She was programmed to please Josh, but as she starts discovering herself, things get messy. She’s blinded by love, which feels very human.”
The role demanded intense physicality, with Thatcher spending long days on set drenched in blood and mud. “The wildest day on set was when I was dragged through the mud,” she laughs. “Every project I do seems to involve mud and blood, but this one topped them all. I’ve never been more covered in blood.”
A Genre-Bending Thriller
Companion stands out for its genre-bending approach, blending romance, horror, and sci-fi with a psychological twist.
“The movie doesn’t rely on one big twist,” Quaid explains. “Every reveal feels fresh and unexpected, and the tension keeps escalating after the initial robot reveal.”
For Hancock, who makes his directorial debut with the film, Companion is a passion project that challenges traditional A.I. narratives. “This isn’t about machines taking over the world,” he says. “It’s about relationships, power dynamics, and what happens when someone — or something — decides they’ve had enough.”
Blood, Mud, and Empowerment
Thatcher’s portrayal of Iris offers a refreshing take on the “scream queen” trope.
“This is a deeply empowering story for Iris,” she says. “She goes from being someone who’s lost herself to someone who takes control of her destiny — even if that destiny involves a lot of bloodshed.”
Release Date and Final Thoughts
Companion hits theaters on Jan. 31, offering audiences a fresh take on both A.I. thrillers and relationship dramas.
If you’re expecting a simple robot-gone-wrong horror flick, think again. Companion is a twisty, blood-soaked exploration of identity, love, and empowerment, with Jack Quaid and Sophie Thatcher delivering unforgettable performances.
Mark your calendars — and maybe avoid any cabin getaways with your partner’s high-tech gadgets.