Companion Film Review: Companion is the latest iteration of an increasingly common trope that flips expectations in a stylish, brutal and hilarious hour and a half (the perfect movie length!)
THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS!
“What if a guy falls in love, but a robot” seems to be a trope (Ex Machina, Her, Humans) reproducing faster than generative AI can recommend death to depressed people, but this stylish 97 minutes is welcome and satisfying addition to the silicon girlfriend canon. Like many films with a twist it’s almost impossible for the marketing to keep it quiet (my cartoon of Iris is based on the movie poster). It’s always blown my mind, for example, that Planet of the Apes is usually sold with the destroyed Statue of Liberty on the cover (an iconic image yes but it’s also the big reveal at the end of the film!)
In this case the revelation about Iris’ identity is not that pivotal to the plot (but subsequent revelations are) and is hinted at quite heavily anyway (the weather report being a great gag). No, where this film excels is in its pacing, humour, and the twist and turns of its plot. I did actually laugh out loud several times, especially as the action ramps up and the “relationship” between Iris and Josh develops (and the sharp wry dialogue flies). There are several nods to its cybernetic predecessors (Blade Runner-esque fake memories, Alien’s synthetics going wrong, and Terminator-robot-hand-reveal how are you!) that are a wink and a nod for sci-fi nerds without being heavy-skinless-robot-handed.
Companions (as these poor plastic people are ominously referred to) cannot lie, which immediately put me in mind of Red Dwarf’s Kryten and his small off duty Czechoslovakian traffic warden for the above cartoon.
More Movie Cartoons:
Friday Cartoon: The Banshees of Inisherin Brendan Gleeson Colin Farrell Caricature
Companion has created a truly iconic character in the form of Iris. The pink hairband/blouse combo, the hair styling (shag style I think? what do I know I’m bald), and Sophie Thatcher’s excellently oxymoronic emotional performance have moulded a truly memorable protagonist that should (will) join the pantheon of the immediately recognisable figures in the culture. Opposite number Jack Quaid and the rest of the cast are excellent (I would literally watch Harvey Guillén eat a sandwich) and writer/director Drew Hancock has created a fast-paced, thoughtful, modern sci-fi classic.
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I’m Allan Cavanagh and I have been professionally producing caricatures and cartoon art for over 20 years.
Companion Film Review Cartoon:
