Not every AI-based narrative is the same, and Companion is here to prove it. Full of twists and plenty of gruesome violence, the deranged thriller is coming to the small screen this spring after an impressive box office run. The movie stars Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, Lukas Gage, Megan Suri, Harvey Guillén, and Rupert Friend. As our reviewer said before its release, Companion "takes its riveting premise into a rich terrain of twisted turns embedded with smart and sick humor," turning it more into a dark comedy than your typical thriller.
If you missed Companion in theaters, we have good news: You can start streaming the sci-fi thriller at home beginning April 18 on Max. Here's everything you need to know about how to watch Companion.
What is Companion about?
Written and directed by Drew Hancock, Companion follows a small group of friends on a weekend getaway at a remote cabin in the woods. However, one of them is not what they appear to be — Iris is actually a companion robot who becomes aware of her reality, seeking revenge and quickly turning the weekend into a bloody mess. "But if you think Companion is going to go the way of M3GAN or AfrAId, you're in for a slew of slick surprises," Mashable's reviewer notes.
Check out the full trailer:
Is Companion worth watching?
The Sophie Thatcher-led thriller took home an impressive $36.7 million at the worldwide box office when it released in theaters back in January. What's more impressive is it managed to win over audiences — which isn't always the case with box office hits. It nabbed a 94 percent critic rating and 89 percent audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Mashable's own reviewer, film editor Kristy Puchko, called it "a rollicking thrill ride that's as spiked with surprises and gore as it is sharp punchlines."
"Aside from the delicious twists that lead to a string of gruesome yet amusing murders, Companion also boasts an ensemble cast that expertly keeps things light and fun amid the horrors," Puchko wrote. "Altogether, they create a compelling, funny, and fierce thriller that's a deranged delight."
Read our full review of Companion.
How to watch Companion at home
There are a few different ways to watch Companion at home: purchasing via digital video-on-demand, renting via digital video-on-demand, and of course, streaming. The cheapest route would be renting, but it's also the most limited option.
Buy or rent Companion on digital
Companion made its theatrical debut on Jan. 31, then became available to watch at home a few weeks later via digital video-on-demand platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV. You can purchase the film for your digital collection or rent it for 30 days for $19.99 or $5.99, respectively. If you choose to rent, just take note that you'll have 30 days to watch, but just 48 hours to finish once you begin.
You can purchase and rent the film at the following retailers as of Feb. 18:
Prime Video — buy for $19.99, rent for $5.99
Apple TV — buy for $19.99, rent for $5.99
Fandango at Home (Vudu) — buy for $19.99, rent for $5.99
Google Play — buy for $19.99, rent for as low as $4.99
YouTube — buy for $19.99, rent for as low as $4.99
Stream Companion on Max
As a Warner Bros. Pictures film, it comes as no surprise that Companion will make its streaming debut on Max — the Warner Bros.-owned streaming service. You can stream the sci-fi thriller on Max beginning April 18.
Max subscriptions start at $9.99 per month, but there are a few different ways to save some money on your plan. Check out the best Max streaming deals below.
The best Max streaming deals
Best for most people: Save 33% on Max with ads annual subscription
While the cheapest monthly Max subscription goes for $9.99 (with ads), an annual subscription brings that cost down to just $8.33 per month. Even better, through May 7, that cost drops to just $6.67. You'll have to pay $79.99 up front for your first year, but that will ultimately save you about 33% compared to a monthly plan. After your initial discounted year is up, the price will revert back to the typical annual plan fee, which is $99.99, and still a very good price.
Best Max deal with no ads: Save up to 32% on a Max Ad-Free annual subscription
Similarly, you can save up to 32% by committing to a yearly plan of the Max ad-free tiers while they're on sale (for those who cannot fathom watching with ads). You have two tiers to choose from: Max Ad-Free and Max Ultimate Ad-Free. The basic ad-free tier costs either $16.99 per month or $139.99 per year (about $11.67 per month), while the Ultimate tier costs either $20.99 per month or $169.99 per year (about $14.17 per month) through May 7. The price drop is only valid for your first year of streaming.
Note: Both tiers offer an ad-free viewing experience, but the Ultimate tier comes with 4K Ultra HD video quality and Dolby Atmos immersive audio.
Best Max deal for Cricket customers: Free Max with ads for customers on the $60/month unlimited plan
Cricket customers on the $60 per month unlimited plan can score Max with ads for free. Just choose Cricket as your provider when logging into Max and enter your credentials to log in. That's all, folks.
Best Max deal for DoorDash users: Free Max with ads with DashPass annual plan
Another way to get Max for free in 2025 is by signing up for DoorDash's annual DashPass plan. An annual DashPass membership costs $96 per year ($8 per month) and gets you $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible orders, plus a Max subscription (with ads). Eligible subscribers will have to activate their Max subscription through their DoorDash account. Take note that while the free deal only applies to the Max plan with ads, you can also choose to upgrade for a discounted rate to eliminate them.
Best Max deal for students: Save 50% on Max with ads
College students can get an entire year of Max with ads for half price. Verify your student status with UNiDAYS, retrieve your unique discount code, and watch the price drop from $9.99 to $4.99 per month.
Best bundle deal: Get Max, Disney+, and Hulu for up to 38% off
It's not exactly the cheapest way to watch Companion and other movies on Max, but the Disney+ bundle remains one of the best streaming deals around. You'll get the most bang for your buck — it's just $16.99 per month for Max, Disney+, and Hulu with ads. That lineup of streaming services with ads would usually run you $25.97 per month. If you'd rather go ad-free, it'll cost you $29.99 per month as opposed to $48.97. That's up to 38% in savings for access to all three streaming libraries.
