Jack Quaid Reveals Dark Truths About Technology in New Film ‘Companion’

As Valentine’s Day approaches, it may be worth considering whether a dark and complex love tale like “Companion” is the best choice for spending quality time with your loved ones.

The movie unfolds from the creative brain of Drew Hancock, focusing on a duo, Iris (portrayed by Sophie Thatcher) and Josh (played by Jack Quaid). Their idyllic getaway takes a grisly turn as hidden truths surface, leading to a life-altering revelation.

He remarked, “This is among the finest scripts I’ve ever encountered. It has raised my standard for what a great script should be.

After reading it, I found myself completely captivated by the narrative. To truly invest in something, my personal benchmark is whether I’d still be a fan even if I weren’t connected to it. This resonates with The Boys, and it certainly applies to [Companion] as well.

Over the course of his acting career, Quaid has demonstrated an impressive range, taking on roles that span from endearing characters like Hughie Campbell in The Boys and Brad Boimler in Star Trek: Lower Decks, to more complex, sinister figures such as Richie Kirsch in Scream.

In the movie Companion, the actor convincingly portrays two distinct aspects of a character; he skillfully plays the role of an admirable boyfriend, only to later reveal a sinister, deceitful side.

As a cinephile, I find Josh intricate – crafting a convincing antagonist isn’t about overdoing the mustache-twirling; instead, it requires breathing life into a character that resonates as an authentic individual.

To him, it seems like everything is falling apart, and he considers himself a romantic at heart, but his beliefs might be clouded by delusion. I found it fascinating to embody a character who truly believes they’re the hero in their own tale.

He mentioned that the best way to prepare for the character was to watch numerous John Cusack films from the ’80s, as “I believe that’s who Josh believes he resembles.

[He’s] truly one of the most insecure personas I’ve embodied throughout my entire acting career,” he went on to say.

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In terms of the roles I’ve taken, [he’s] undeniably one of the most insecure characters I’ve portrayed, he added.

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[He’s] unquestionably one of the most insecure characters I’ve ever played as an actor, he continued to explain.

In my humble opinion as a movie critic, this captivating sci-fi thriller takes us on a chilling journey into a not-so-distant future where robots, indistinguishable from humans, are available for purchase as companions. The haunting premise is both enticing and unnerving because it’s a glimpse into a reality that feels just beyond our grasp, yet the looming threats posed by AI and technology – issues that are hotly debated today – make it seem like an imminent specter on our horizon.

Quaid stated that the most unsettling aspect of the movie is its striking relevance to current times and how imminent the depicted scenario seems. He enjoys taking on roles with subtle social commentary, and this film is no different. Additionally, he praised the script for portraying a future that appears just around the corner – in the next few months or even days.

He stated: “Technology isn’t morally good or evil by nature; rather, its impact depends on human actions. The film’s lesson, as I see it, is that technology should not be the focus but the decisions we humans make regarding its use. Unfortunately, more often than not, we choose poorly, and this is clearly shown in Josh’s actions.

As a dedicated film enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be sharing the screen with Sophie Thatcher in our upcoming project. This talented actress is rapidly becoming one of Hollywood’s most sought-after “scream queens” in the horror genre, a title she’s earned through her spellbinding performances in Heretic and Yellowjackets. The secret to her captivating presence in this genre, as my co-star can attest, is crystal clear: her raw talent and unmatched dedication to her craft.

He remarked, “Her acting skills are exceptional due to her ability to tap into a wide range of emotions, something particularly suited for horror films. It’s astonishing how well she fits the genre, and she’s truly excelling in it.

The filming of the movie began in summer 2023, however, due to SAG-AFTRA strikes, production needed to be paused temporarily. Filming picked back up again during winter, following the resolution of the strike, which actually turned out to be advantageous as it gave Drew Hancock additional time to refine his vision for the movie.

Quaid stated that oddly enough, he felt it improved our film. During the strike, Drew had a chance to review what we’d already filmed. Upon returning, both Drew and other crew members could effectively see the first part of the movie since we filmed in sequence.

The experience clarified for them the type of film they were creating, and it became clearer still what tone the movie should have. As a result, they had a precise understanding of their goals when we resumed work.

Nevertheless, the break had its disadvantages, particularly when it came to shooting scenes in a woodland area of upstate New York.

Quaid mentioned that one of the most challenging aspects of filming outdoors was returning to find we were underprepared for colder weather since we had dressed in summer attire initially. If we needed to shoot outside again, we’d have to don T-shirts instead.

Despite the chilly conditions, I luckily didn’t have to endure the extreme cold since Sophie and Lukas [Gage] had to film outside in the rain at night when it was freezing. Thankfully, they bore the brunt of the cold. However, now I’m filming outdoors in Toronto, and let me tell you, it’s really quite frosty!

After making an appearance in Companion, Quaid is set to return to the silver screen in March with Novocaine – a fast-paced action film directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen. The story revolves around Nathan Caine, an ordinary man who finds himself utilizing his unusual lack of pain sensation as an unforeseen asset when the woman he adores is taken captive.

More recently this month, Quaid had an unforgettable experience as music legend Billy Joel shared a clip from The Boys, which he found to be the highlight of his life so far.

In awe, I exclaim, “Five long years passed, yet that pivotal scene from the initial episode of The Boys, featuring none other than me, finally graced our screens, leaving me utterly spellbound.

It seems he’ll be in Toronto on March 15th. Ideally, I’d like to attend that event front row, as long as my publicist doesn’t tell me otherwise due to scheduling conflicts. I really want to catch him performing live because so far, I haven’t had the chance, and I used to be a huge fan of his before Hughie.

Quaid ended the interview with a public service announcement directly to Joel.

Dear Mr. Joel, I truly appreciate you, and I’d be grateful if you could make time to appear on our show. We’re in the midst of shooting our final season, and your presence would mean so much to us. You don’t even need to act; just strolling by a scene could catch Hughie’s eye. Thank you for considering this request, Mr. Joel.

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2025-01-31 14:38