If Barbarian is unsettling, then Companion cranks up the unease tenfold.
On Wednesday, New Line Cinema unveiled the teaser trailer for Companion, a forthcoming sci-fi horror film from the team behind Barbarian. The film features a cast that includes Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, Lukas Gage, Megan Suri, Harvey Guillén, and Rupert Friend.
The teaser opens with Quaid sharing a meal with Thatcher, who is handcuffed to her seat. Thatcher appears to embody a robotic character, though the specifics remain ambiguous. As the eerie footage unfolds, viewers are treated to a twisted romance marked by betrayal, murder, and brutality. The teaser culminates in a chilling image of Thatcher with her hand ablaze, tears streaming down her face.
The film’s promotional material states, “New Line Cinema—the studio behind The Notebook—and the groundbreaking creators of Barbarian invite you to discover a new kind of love story.” Based on the teaser, Companion will certainly diverge from the romantic themes of The Notebook. Additionally, fans can text 978-878-5683 to “Find Your Companion today.”
Companion is written and directed by Drew Hancock, making his directorial debut in feature films. Hancock is known for his work on television series such as My Dead Ex, Suburgatory, and Blue Mountain State.
The production team behind Companion includes the same group responsible for Barbarian: Zach Cregger, Roy Lee, Raphael Margules, and J.D. Lifshitz. In Barbarian, which starred Georgina Campbell as Tess, a woman renting a house in Detroit discovers another occupant, played by Bill Skarsgård. Her stay turns perilous as she uncovers a deadly secret hiding in the basement. Released in 2022, Barbarian was a surprise success, earning over $45 million from a $4.5 million budget.
Cregger will continue his collaboration with New Line Cinema for his next film, Weapons, set to be released in January 2026.
Companion is scheduled to hit theaters on January 10, 2025.