In the tradition of great film criticism, let me take you on a journey through the dark corridors of “Companion,” a film that seems poised to redeferate our expectations of space-bound horror. The newly revealed posters – three stark visual poems in terror – speak volumes about the psychological torment awaiting audiences.
Looking at these posters, I'm reminded of Ridley Scott's masterful use of negative space in the original Alien marketing materials. Here, we see Sophie Thatcher's character isolated against the vast emptiness of space, her vulnerability palpable through the protective barrier of her helmet. The tagline “In space, company can be deadly” sends shivers down my spine, echoing but not imitating the classic “In space, no one can hear you scream.”
The film, directed by John Maloof in his feature debut, follows a lone maintenance worker aboard a deep space vessel who discovers she may not be as alone as she thinks. Thatcher, fresh from her compelling work in “Yellowjackets,” brings a raw authenticity to the role that's evident even in these still images.
What intrigues me most about these posters is their restraint. In an era of oversaturated marketing materials, these strike a minimalist chord that resonates with the film's apparent themes of isolation and paranoia. The use of muted colors and shadow creates a sense of suffocating dread that's more Tarkovsky than typical modern horror fare.
Have you watched the trailer yet? If not, head over to the page where Companion trailer is available.
How do you feel about the recent renaissance in sophisticated space horror, and does “Companion” appear to be pushing the genre in new directions?
