Director Drew Hancock Talks AI & Horror in Companion
FlickDirect’s Allison Rose sits down with Companion (2025) director and writer Drew Hancock to discuss his unique take on AI, horror, and human relationships in his new thriller. Originally conceived as a traditional “AI gone wrong” horror, Companion evolved into a deep, emotional story about self-discovery, toxic relationships, and empowerment.
Hancock shares how he crafted a film that blends sci-fi, horror, and relationship drama into one unforgettable experience. He also explains why Companion isn’t just a thriller but a breakup movie—offering a fresh perspective on storytelling in the sci-fi genre.
ABOUT COMPANION
New Line Cinema—the studio that brought you “The Notebook”—and the unhinged creators of “Barbarian” cordially invite you to experience a new kind of love story…
Written and directed by Drew Hancock (“My Dead Ex,” “Suburgatory”),“Companion” stars Sophie Thatcher (“Yellowjackets,” “The Boogeyman”), Jack Quaid (“The Boys,” “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”), Lukas Gage (“Smile 2,” “Dead Boy Detectives”), Megan Suri (“Never Have I Ever,” “It Lives Inside”), Harvey Guillén (“What We Do in the Shadows,” “Blue Beetle”) and Rupert Friend (“High Desert,” “Asteroid City”). The film is produced by the filmmakers behind “Barbarian”—Raphael Margules, J.D. Lifshitz, Zach Cregger, and Roy Lee. The executive producers are Tracy Rosenblum and Jamie Buckner.
Directed By: Drew Hancock
MPAA Rating: R
Genre: Thriller
Running Time: 97 minutes
Distributed By: New Line Cinema
Companion is © New Line Cinema. All Rights Reserved.