Companion, a science-fiction thriller directed by Drew Hancock, lands on HBO Max on June 30, 2026. Released in theaters on January 29, 2025, the film brings together Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, Lukas Gage, and Rupert Friend for a story where romance, manipulation and technology intersect in an increasingly unsettling setup.
Companion
Film | 2025
Release in cinemas: 29 January 2025
Available on HBO Max on June 30, 2026
Horror, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller | Runtime: 1h37
Directed by Drew Hancock | Screenplay by Drew Hancock | Starring Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, Lukas Gage
Original title: Companion
Country: United States
Not recommended for viewers under 12
In a near-future world, “companion” robots are built to love unconditionally. Iris, portrayed by Sophie Thatcher, initially suppresses her true nature. Puppeteered by her owner, Joshua, she becomes the focal point of a criminal scheme hatched in a secluded house. When the truth comes out, her quest for independence collides with the brutal reality of the humans around her.
The film builds its tension on this gradual shift: what starts as a weekend with friends slides into a paranoid, claustrophobic standoff, where each character reveals a trace of calculation, domination, or fear. Companion uses the figure of the android not to deliver a mere futuristic tale, but to interrogate power dynamics, the control exercised in love, and the way some humans reduce the other to a function.
Despite its apparent coldness, the film is brimming with emotion, buoyed by Sophie Thatcher's remarkable performance. Iris, though artificial, embodies a disturbing humanity often absent in her human counterparts. Her moments of doubt, distress and awakening give Companion an emotional depth that surpasses that of many contemporary thrillers.
Drew Hancock sets up a tight, almost trap-like stage, where the country house becomes an impossible escape. The direction exploits this isolation to heighten the threat, weaving in oppressive silences, bursts of violence, and touches of humour noir. A few scenes play on the offbeat, especially when Iris’s programmed boundaries paradoxically turn into tools for survival.
Companion sits at the crossroads of several register—science fiction, psychological thriller, toxic romance, and occasional horror. Fans of AI stories will find a dark variation on the boundaries of programmed empathy, while viewers drawn to horror cinema will notice violence that’s briefer and less frontal, used as a rupture point.
With Companion, Drew Hancock delivers an ambitious feature debut that fuses reflection, tension, and emotion. Inspired by the unsettling oeuvres of David Cronenberg and Ari Aster, the film stakes out its own identity through deft direction, an unpredictable script, and captivating characters. At once dark, funny, and deeply moving, Companion surpasses expectations by offering an intensely cinematic experience.
The trailer for Companion establishes the contrast between the carefree vibe of a friends’ gathering and the technological trap closing in on Iris.
To dive deeper, also check out our selection of HBO Max’s June 2026 releases, our guide to streaming titles across all platforms, and today’s pick: What to watch today in streaming.
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