Companion

"There were two times I felt truly happy. First, the day I met Josh; second, the day I killed him."

If "Westworld" mated with "Kill Bill", its offspring would be this clever, hilarious and enjoyable sci-fi/horror mashup, COMPANION.

One thing is certain. The less you know going in, the more enjoyable this twisted tale from newcomer Writer/Director Drew Hancock is.

As a matter of fact, if you want every surprise to land, stop reading this now and don't watch the trailer and just go see the film first.

Go ahead, this will be here when you get back.

To honor Hancock's work, I won't be revealing anything that you don't know from the trailer.

We meet Iris (Sophie Thatcher, so great in 2024's "Heretic") as she narrates the opening sequence. She's shopping in her local grocery store where she meets the love of her life, Josh, played by Jack Quaid (Novocaine, The Boys). It's a classic "meet cute" with subtle flirting and fruit falling all over the floor due to Jack's clumsiness.

We flash forward now to Josh and Iris on the way to a weekend in a very secluded, incredible home deep in the country. It's the compound of billionaire Surgey (Rupert Friend). Josh's friends Eli (Harvey Guillen), his partner Patrick (Lukas Gage from "Smile 2") and Kat (Megan Suri) have already arrived for the weekend.

No matter how much Iris tries to be confident, she's a nervous wreck to see all Josh's friends again.

She says Kat hates her.

When the couple arrive at the estate, it's clear that she's right, Kat doesn't care for Iris. Why? That's more complicated.

As the weekend unwinds, the adventures are funny, mysterious and loaded with bursts of extreme violence.

I love a film that takes me somewhere I don't expect. COMPANION delivers great surprises of every kind. Touching on the currently evolving onslaught of AI, chat bots, misogyny and a generation that has no idea how to talk to each other, I've never seen relationships explored quite like this.

Sergey is very wealthy and very married. Kat is his girlfriend. Iris doesn't understand.

Patrick is a quiet, skilled young chef, the counterpart of the loud, brash and funny Eli. Opposites attract?

Iris knows one thing, that Josh is the love of her life and she would do ANYTHING for him. Anything.

The cast is excellent.

There were times where the energy and momentum of the story reminded me of last year's brilliant "Strange Darling".

But this film is surely funnier. In some of its bloodiest moments, a huge laugh follows or even interrupts. That's a dance that's not easy to master.

Sophie Thatcher is terrific as Iris. When she finds a method to take control, the fast metamorphosis from curious to lustful is brilliant and Thatcher wears it well.

Her Iris is not to be trifled with.

COMPANION is as compelling as it is observant, as violent as it is hilarious, earning a B+.

There's no better way to spend 90 minutes in the theater right now.

Sit down and let Iris take over. She got purpose.

Drew Hancock is one to watch.