On the glossy surface ofCompanion, you get a meet-cute between a nice guy and the perfect girlfriend.
The catch?Shes a robotand he bought her for companionship thatll suit hiseveryneed.
I think for me, my way in is just to make Iris as relatable as possible.
© Warner Bros.
So when I think about her as a character, Im not really thinking about her as a robot.
Im thinking about, what is her emotional journey that shes going on?
How is it relatable to people that are watching it?
© Warner Bros.
And weve all been in those relationships where maybe it wasnt the best relationship.
Its almost like she has a shell built up against the wear of emotional labor.
Iris is being literally programmed, were metaphorically being programmed, Hancock said.
Warner Bros.
Someone who feels like theyre less than.
She finds out shes less than because shes not actually a human being.
Theres something off about her performance.
You know what I mean?
Hancock said of Thatchers portrayal of Iris programmed nature.
That was really important to me.
I never want to come from a place of judgment.
This could easily have just been from Joshs point of view.
And thats kind of like the point behind AI, right?
Its like a tool, its technology.
You could use it for good, you’ve got the option to use it for bad.
I love genre, Ive always loved genre.
I love anything with robots or stuff like serial killers or ghosts.
But I was not getting those job opportunities.
And so I mean, theres like 10 tones in this movie.
Theres 10 genres in this movie.
So just throw it all on the wall and see what sticks.
Companionopens this Friday, January 31.
Want more io9 news?
News from the future, delivered to your present.
