When I first watched the trailer for Companion, I rolled my eyes and thought, "Another robot/AI movie?" We've seen so many films in this sub-genre that it’s easy to assume it’ll follow the usual formula. But to my surprise, Companion turned out to be one of the most clever takes on the theme. Rather than just another cautionary tale about AI running amok, this film explores identity, control, and what it truly means to be human.
Storyline Overview
Companion follows a group of friends on a weekend getaway at a remote cabin, only for things to unravel when it's revealed that one of them—Sophie Thatcher’s character, Iris—is actually a robot. What makes this revelation unique is that Iris herself had no idea she wasn’t human. While the trailer gives this twist away early, the film isn’t just about the shock factor; it’s a slow-burn psychological thriller that dives deeper into themes of autonomy and free will.
Initially, I worried that the movie would take a predictable slasher route, where Iris goes on a killing spree. But Companion isn’t that kind of film—it leans more into thriller and drama rather than horror. The tension builds through strong character interactions rather than just violence, making it more gripping than a typical AI-gone-rogue story.
Character Highlights
Iris, despite being a robot, feels like the most human character in the film. Yes, she was programmed to be that way, but once she breaks free from Josh’s control, she starts making her own decisions—ones that feel more emotionally driven than purely logical. Sophie Thatcher delivers a fantastic performance, balancing the unsettling eeriness of an AI with the vulnerability of someone discovering their true nature.
Jack Quaid’s character, Josh, is the real antagonist here. The way he manipulates and controls Iris makes him far more terrifying than any machine uprising. His role gives the movie an interesting dynamic, shifting the fear from technology to human behavior.
LGBTQ+ Representation & Malaysian Release
One thing that genuinely surprised me was the film’s LGBTQ+ representation. Given Malaysia’s strict censorship laws, I was shocked that Companion even got a release here. The odd scheduling—limited screenings and only one showtime a day in most cinemas—probably has something to do with that. Still, I appreciate that it made it to our screens at all.
Final Thoughts
Companion is a refreshing and thought-provoking take on the robot/AI genre. While it doesn’t necessarily reinvent the wheel, it delivers a compelling story with strong performances, making it worth watching. If you enjoy films that explore AI in a deeper, more emotional way, this one is for you.
Rating: 7/10
Would you watch Companion? Let me know your thoughts!
I had high hopes for The Bayou when I saw it was produced by the same team behind Fall and 47 Meters Down. Those movies were surprisingly good despite their low budgets, so I was willing to give The Bayou a chance. The trailer did look cheap, but so did Fall and 47 Meters Down, and they turned out great. Plus, I love a good creature feature, and the trailer gave me Cocaine Bear vibes. Unfortunately, the trailer is the most gator action you’ll get because this movie is a complete disaster.
Storyline Overview
The premise sounded promising—a group of friends surviving a plane crash in the Louisiana Everglades only to face a more dangerous threat lurking in the shallows. But in execution, The Bayou fails miserably. Instead of focusing on the horror and suspense of being hunted by alligators, the movie spends an unnecessary amount of time on human conflict. The pacing is sluggish, and the storyline is riddled with clichés that have been done better in other creature feature films.
Character Highlights
None of the characters stood out, and honestly, none were even likable. In a creature feature, you at least want some level of connection to the protagonists, but here, I felt no attachment whatsoever. The performances were uninspired, and the dialogue was weak, making it hard to care whether any of them survived.
Villain Analysis
The real villains of this movie? The filmmakers. The alligators, which should have been the main attraction, barely have any presence. The trailer made it seem like we'd get a thrilling gator horror experience, but instead, we’re subjected to minimal gator action and way too much melodrama. Even low-budget creature movies like Sharknado or Raptor Gator manage to be entertaining, but The Bayou doesn’t even deliver on that front.
Emotional & Thematic Depth
There is no emotional depth here; it's just me being emotional and having to sit through this movie! The supposed tension between characters is uninteresting, and the movie lacks the suspense or thrills that make a creature feature fun. Even the horror elements are weak, and there isn't a single memorable kill that stands out.
Final Thoughts
This has to be one of the worst creature features I’ve ever watched. For a movie about gators in the Everglades, it barely features them, instead prioritizing boring human drama. On top of that, the soundtrack is jarring and unnecessarily loud—it was so bad that I wouldn’t blame the gators for being mad. My advice? Don’t waste your money watching this in theaters. Just wait for it to hit streaming, if you even bother at all.
Rating: 1/10
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