46. SPOILER Review: Companion (2025)

Episode 46 - SPOILER Review: Companion (2025)IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a spoiler review of Companion (2025), a thriller (or is it? Still not sure on the genre…) that is as twisted as it is unique. If you haven’t seen this movie yet, bookmark this episode and come back later. This is one of those films best experienced knowing absolutely nothing. No trailers. No previews. Just trust me. Listener and viewer discretion is advised.I’m really happy to be joined on this episode by my friend and uber movie fan, Marc Cavligli. Marc is that dude I know I can always talk movie shop with. We don’t always agree on movies (actually, we usually don’t—lol), but that’s what makes our discussions so great... As an artist and creative, Marc brings a unique perspective to the conversation, always spotting things that go overlooked. Our back-and-forth leads to fresh insights, unexpected takes, and a deep dive into what makes a movie work—or not. This episode is no exception.Director Drew Hancock’s debut film, Companion, is the kind of movie you just don’t see coming. It’s twisted, gripping, and guaranteed to have you talking long after the credits roll. Even after watching, I’m still struggling with how to describe or tease this movie without spoiling it. That’s how original it is.Adding to the film's appeal, Zach Cregger, director of the 2022 hit Barbarian, serves as a producer on this film. His involvement is no surprise—I've been told that Companion shares that same bold, unpredictable energy that made Barbarian such a standout. (Confession: I haven’t seen Barbarian yet myself, but I’ll be fixing that immediately.)Our lead actors, Sophie Thatcher (Heretic) and Jack Quaid (The Boys), are superb. They bring to life a script that is sharp, efficient, and extremely inventive. They do a phenomenal job making this strange, unsettling world feel real.This movie is very unsettling and uncomfortable at times, but always in service of the story. It lingers in your mind, making you question a lot (in a good way) after you see it. And its release timing? Absolutely perfect—for reasons we’ll have to discuss after you've watched. (Let’s talk afterward to get into specifics!)On the technical side, the filmmaking choices are impressive. It’s a tight, contained movie that grabs your attention and never lets go. With a 90-minute runtime, a limited number of locations, and a small cast, it still manages to feel expansive and gripping. And for those who say original movies aren’t being made anymore—think again. This film begs to differ.So far, Companion has earned over $34 million at the box office on a $10 million budget. That’s a huge win for original storytelling."Companion" is currently playing in theaters and is also available to rent and buy on all platforms.Enjoy the movie. Hit up the comments section with your thoughts on film and as always thank you for listening. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sohrabsmovieq.substack.com