With Companion, writer/director Drew Hancock makes his feature directorial debut, mostly filled with twists and dark humor. Starting with Hancock’s script, Hancock uses foreshadowing and the film’s non-linear structure intriguingly.
Companion follows a young couple. Iris (Sophie Thatcher, Heretic) and Josh (Jack Quaid, The Boys), a young couple get away to an exclusive lake house. In tow are their friends (Harvey Guillén, Lukas Gage, Megan Suri). However, they find themselves at the center of events following the death of a Russian billionaire named Sergey (Rupert Friend, Asteroid City). This forces Iris and Josh to confront the truth about their relationship. They must understand why it is the way it is. All the while, the entire group learns who they are.
Coming Out Swingin’ with Companion
With Companion, writer/director Drew Hancock makes his feature directorial debut, mostly filled with twists and dark humor. Starting with Hancock’s script, Hancock uses foreshadowing and the film’s non-linear structure intriguingly. This results in the script layering out the characters piece-by-piece. Moreover, Hancock and cinematographer Eli Born (Hellraiser) shoot the movie with a bright and colorful disposition. So, the cinematography juxtaposes with the traditional look of a romantic comedy. But, as the film continues, the screen images become darker. Thus creating a blue hue-like filter across the frame.
Production Design and Editing
Furthermore, production designer Scott Kuzio (Fear Street: Part One – 1994) makes the small, limited sets feel isolating and imposing on the characters. Likewise, Kuzio also works in tandem with costume designer Vanessa Porter. Porter makes all the characters’ costumes match with not only Kuzio’s production design. However, with Born’s cinematography, the colors on the costume match the frame. In addition, composer Hrishikesh Hirway (Everything Sucks) creates an expert score that manages to set the tension for the film. Hirway’s score matches well with Erick Ocampo’s sound design. Their work allows a thumping sound to permeate the screen.
Editors Brett W. Bachman (The Fall of the House of Usher) and Josh Ethier (Gretel and Hansel) bring the film’s runtime to an hour and thirty-seven minutes. Bachman and Ethier allow the suspense to build up. Then they execute it promptly. The two also administer character moments, giving the film a sense of life and generosity with its setting. Subsequently, Bachman and Ethier interweave the character with moments of foreshadowing and payoff. However, a part of that credit can go to Hancock’s script for providing that in the first place.
Performances in Companion
Leading the cast is the combined twofer of Sophie Thatcher (Heretic) and Jack Quaid (The Boys) as Iris and Josh. Thatcher delivers a stellar performance. She balances the character’s emotions while having sublime chemistry with Quaid. Meanwhile, Quaid uses his boyish charm and charisma to maximum effort. All while still displaying a range of dimensions and intrigue. Their chemistry reveals a lot about their characters, the plot, and the world they inhabit.
This contrasts with Harvey Guillén’s (What We Do in the Shadows) and Lukas Gage’s (Smile 2) Eli and Patrick’s relationship. Their relationship is similar but different. With Guillén, he serves as the film’s conduit for the dark humor. As for Gage, he balances comedy, humor, and drama with sincerity. He does so while displaying different dimensions within the character. Rounding out the cast is Rupert Friend (Asteroid City) as Sergey, a Russian billionaire, and Megan Suri (Never Have I Ever) as Kat. Both deliver solid performances. Friend is unrecognizable as the character. As for Suri, she displays a solid dimension to her character, albeit very briefly.
Final Thoughts
Regarding Companion, writer/director Drew Hancock makes his superb directorial debut. It’s one filled with surprising twists and a ton of dark humor. Supporting this is a mixture of cinematography, production design, and costume design that work together. Finally, expertly leading the cast are Thatcher and Quaid. Their dynamic chemistry says a lot about the characters, the story, and the world they inhabit. Overall, Companion is a thrilling yet suspenseful debut with many things to entertain.
