Love ‘Obsession’? This 2025 Thriller Is The Perfect Companion Watch
Obsession (2026) is a surprisingly massive horror hit, not because it’s not scary or thought-provoking, but because no one would’ve suspected such a simple idea could do so well. But beyond the premise of a guy wishing his crush loved him ‘more than anyone’ going awry, there are much deeper themes that perfectly complement another film from last year, Companion (2025).
Leaning more into a sci-fi thriller space, Companion follows a robot partner who is tired of being used for her “boyfriend’s” needs and begins to find her independence with bloody results. On the surface, Companion and Obsession couldn’t be farther apart, but what ties them together is what makes the former such a must-see. Check it out now on HBO Max, Apple TV, and more!
What Makes ‘Companion’ Such a Perfect Pair With ‘Obsession’?
At this point, the premise of Obsession is just as well-known as its success, and that’s due mainly to how well Curry Barker delivered an idea that is as simple as knowing the premise of Jaws (1975). In a way, this is also what makes Companion so alike because it delivers a similar idea from the other end.
In Companion, a man is obsessed not with the woman who is technically a robot forced to do anything he says, but rather with the idea of control. What makes Companion the perfect follow-up to Obsession is how well it mirrors the latter’s idea and shows how the concept of love and obsession can go in two different and very twisted directions.
They may seem like the same movie, but Obsession feels more like the tension exploding, whereas Companion is more about building tension as someone fights for control. Being two sides of the same coin offers a much clearer picture of the overall themes being conveyed to the viewers.
‘Companion’s Themes Build on Everything ‘Obsession’ Is Saying
Obsession is such an effective horror film because of how it takes ideas of autonomy and power and steers them to a logical yet horrific conclusion. In the film, Bear represents someone scared to admit that he’s a manipulative and selfish person.
He cares more about the idea of Nikki than the real person as she fights to take control of her body. That’s why these moments are more scary than thrilling because it’s about the outbursts of control and the hesitance of Bear not admitting he’s the problem.
Companion, on the other hand, takes these ideas to the next level by having its male lead, Josh, not see his not-girlfriend, Iris, as a being with a conscience. He sees her as what she’s sold as, a product, and he refuses to treat her with respect even as she gains control over her autonomy. Even as she fights, he won’t change, much like Bear but in the opposite direction.
What we see is a calculated fight for autonomy as a guy refuses to give up what is “his.” It plays on the idea of gaslighting, as Iris lives in a world where no one takes her seriously because she’s a robot. Meanwhile, Obsession is about a woman fighting for what was already hers against a guy who won’t give up what was never his in the first place.
Is ‘Companion’ Scarier Than ‘Obsession’?
Thematically, it’s hard to argue the similarities between Obsession and Companion, but the one thing everyone understands is how Obsession isn’t for the faint of heart. Companion might seem like another scary supplement, but in reality it’s a much easier watch for people who aren’t ready for the alternative.
Companion has its intense moments, but it leans more into the thrilling nature of someone fighting for their independence against people and a world that won’t see her as a person if they learn the truth. Its sci-fi angle makes the idea of humans trying to destroy a robot feel like a slasher story that leads to death on all sides.
Companion is a dark thriller through and through, but isn’t a legitimate horror film in the way Obsession is. That’s great, though, because if you’re interested in the Curry Barker film but don’t know if you can handle it, Companion lets you dip your toes and build up courage before hitting play on Obsession.
