Companion was set to be directed by 'Barbarian' director Zach Cregger; however, unlike the marketing for Barbarian that kept the crucial twist tightly under lock, letting the film deliver its full, intended shocking fate, Companion's marketing essentially handed the film's events on a silver platter in the 'spoilerific' trailer. This expression has somewhat tainted the buzz of Companion, yet, Hancock's innovative approach to this dark comedy is so fine tuned that the spoilt details become long forgotten after actually watching this superb feat.
Throughout, Companion dances with the subject of toxicity, particularly the kind that appears subtle and contained at first, bubbling under the surface until it boils over and spews venom. It is this kind of thoughtful, cinematic prose that propels Hancock's story to be more than a one-dimensional piece of malignancy in relationships. The film delivers an emboldened contraption of reality when it comes to scenes of abuse, focusing on how this can be outwardly presented as subdued, but behind closed doors, the matter is profoundly intense.
