“Companion” (2025, written and directed by Drew Hancock) is a perfect example of a film that doesn’t get much of a chance these days in theaters, but is creative, entertaining, and best consumed without information or presumption going in. It’s not a “twist” or “paradigm shift” film. You will piece together many, but not all, of the reveals a half-step before they are revealed. In short, it is an excellent film currently streaming on HBO Max. It’s also part of the ever-growing evidence that the post-Hollywood sweet spot may in fact be low-ish budget projects ($10 million in this case), filmed far from LA, with talented and competent actors, but without tabloid-level stars. If that means we’re getting a second wave of Friedkinesque 70s filmmaking with a smidge of CGI and 80% less actor (and civilian) endangerment, I am all for it. What might be a crash for studios, agents, and publicists could be another golden age for creatives (writers, directs, actors, editors, set designers, etc) and film-goers.
But don’t put too much on my amateur prognosticating. And certainly don’t read a review or even watch a trailer. Just give it 90 minutes of your life.
[HT to Patton Oswalt who recommended “Companion” in an interview with Tom Papa.]
Economist Writing Every Day 