Ranking the 7 Most Brutal Deaths of Companions

Warning: This article contains significant spoilers for the film Companion.

Drew Hancock’s horror-comedy, Companion, has garnered exceptional reviews due to its intelligent plot twists, engaging performances, and deep thematic exploration. Featuring Jack Quaid and Sophie Thatcher, the film swiftly pivots into the realm of science fiction, utilizing robotic characters as a metaphor for abusive relationships. As the story progresses, the once picturesque lakeside backdrop becomes a canvas for memorable and brutal fatalities, highlighting the film’s unique blend of horror and satire.

The introduction of robotic characters adds a dynamic threat to the proceedings. These advanced, programmable robots lack empathy, leading to unforeseen violence. Notably, despite the horrific events, the comedic elements remain intact throughout the film. The relatively small cast experiences rapid decline as the narrative intensifies, culminating in the survival of only one principal character by the end of Companion.

7 Patrick (Lukas Gage)

Fry His Hard-Wiring With a Taser

A pivotal reveal in Companion occurs when it is uncovered that Iris, portrayed by Sophie Thatcher, is not the sole robot among the seemingly human group. Patrick (Lukas Gage), Eli’s boyfriend, is unveiled as an Empathix companion robot, capable of culinary skills and spontaneous dancing—making his robot identity startling. Similar to Iris, Patrick’s character is manipulated by Eli’s mobile device, ultimately exploited by Josh to achieve his selfish aims.

Companion – Key Details
Release Date	Director	Rotten Tomatoes Score	Audience Score	Metacritic Score
January 31, 2025	Drew Hancock	93%	90%	72

Tasked to locate Iris after her escape, Patrick’s aggression settings are heightened by Josh to ensure compliance. Consequently, he becomes a vehicle for violence, leading to multiple deaths at his hands. However, his connection with Eli hints at the possibility of genuine love between humans and robots. In a moment of self-realization, Patrick defies his programming and, prioritizing his affection for Eli, uses a taser on himself to free himself from control—a less violent act of self-sacrifice compared to others in the narrative.

6 Sid from Empathix (Matt McCarthy)

Gunned Down by Patrick in the Empathix Van

As Josh’s plan devolves into chaos, resulting in several fatalities, he contacts the company that supplied Iris, Empathix. Employees Sid and Teddy arrive at the lake house to address the situation but find themselves in dire peril once Josh reveals he’ll use Patrick as a weapon. Josh’s selfishness is on full display as he places his survival over the lives of others.

When Sid and Teddy attempt to secure Iris for retrieval, they are intercepted by Patrick, whose aggression settings are elevated. In a swift act of brutality, Patrick shoots Sid several times in the van, marking a violent but quick demise. The film avoids lingering on the gruesomeness of the moment, resulting in a less brutal overall impact.

5 Eli (Harvey Guillen)

Bulleted by Iris in Self-Defense

Harvey Guillén portrays Eli, primarily adding comic relief but also revealing darker tendencies when faced with life-threatening stakes. During a hunt for Iris after a critical murder, Eli’s actions lead him to confront her directly. Their struggle for the only weapon escalates, resulting in Iris turning the gun on Eli and shooting him in the chest—an intimate, vivid death with stark visual consequences, rendering it more brutal than some of its predecessors.

4 Kat (Megan Suri)

Stabbed by Patrick

Kat, portrayed by Megan Suri, proves to be an unexpected player in Josh’s robbery scheme against Sergey. However, when the violence escalates, Kat becomes disillusioned with Josh’s reckless disregard for life. When she attempts to leave, Josh orders Patrick to prevent her escape, leading to Patrick’s brutal decision to stab her in the back. Kat later succumbs to her injuries while crawling to safety, adding a layer of visceral horror to her demise.

3 Sergey (Rupert Friend)

Neck Stabbed by Iris

The brutality of Sergey’s demise marks a turning point in Companion. When he seeks to assault Iris under the guise of innocence, Iris defends herself using a pocket knife planted by Josh. The moment she stabs Sergey in the neck unleashes an explosion of violence, contrasting sharply against the serene setting and setting a sinister tone for the remainder of the film.

2 Deputy Hendrix (Marc Menchaca)

Beaten to Death With His Own Weapon

Megan Suri and Jack Quaid examine a car in Companion

In a dramatic moment, Deputy Hendrix confronts Iris after her car escapes, only to be met with fatal consequences. Patrick, now unbound from ethical controls with heightened aggression settings, brutally beats Hendrix to death using his own firearm, resulting in one of the film’s most extreme portrayals of violence. The aftermath leaves the viewer confronting the depths of horror present in the narrative.

1 Josh (Jack Quaid)

An Automatic Wine Bottle Opener Becomes His Doom

While the brutality of Deputy Hendrix’s death is highly contested, Josh’s demise takes the spotlight due to its inventiveness and the shocking implications of his actions throughout the film. After Patrick sacrifices himself, Iris claims independence from external controls and confronts Josh, who is ready to flee with his ill-gotten gains.

In their final clash, Iris, previously dominated by male figures (including Josh), flips the power dynamic. During the confrontation, as Josh attempts to kill her, Iris drives an electric corkscrew into his temple, bringing a grotesquely creative end to his character. The gruesome act, complete with a visceral effect of brain matter expulsion, encapsulates the film’s message about the cycle of abuse.

This climactic scene accentuates the themes of Companion, juxtaposing the horror of violence with a powerful commentary on abusive relationships.

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