While Jack Quaid commands attention as Hughie Campbell in the final season of Amazon's The Boys, another of his projects is quietly experiencing a major resurgence. His 2025 sci-fi thriller, Companion, has become a streaming sensation on HBO Max, climbing into the platform's Top 10 most popular movies in the United States. This delayed success story highlights how a film can find its audience long after leaving theaters.
From Box Office Bust to Streaming Success
Released in January 2025—a month traditionally known as a cinematic dumping ground—Companion struggled to make an impact at the box office, earning a modest $37 million globally. The marketing campaign didn't help, as trailers unfortunately revealed a major plot twist that should have been a shocking moment for viewers. This premature reveal led many to feel they'd already seen the entire story, dampening initial interest. However, the film's current streaming performance proves its quality was always there, waiting to be discovered.
Now free from the constraints of its problematic marketing, audiences are experiencing Companion as intended. The film, which marks the feature directorial debut of Drew Hancock, casts Quaid in his darkest role to date opposite Sophie Thatcher. It begins with a seemingly sweet romance born from a grocery store meet-cute, narrated by the girlfriend who chillingly reveals the two happiest days of her life were "the day I met him and the day I killed him." The story then follows the couple to a secluded lake house, where tension mounts with the promise that something will go terribly wrong.
Critical Acclaim Meets Audience Discovery
Despite its rocky start, Companion was critically celebrated upon release. It holds an impressive 93% critics' score and an 88% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, a clear indicator of its strong execution. The film's pedigree includes producer Zach Cregger, the mind behind the hit thriller Barbarian, and his influence is felt in the movie's uniquely offbeat and sustained tension. For fans of smart, psychological genre fare, it's a hidden gem that delivers.
The streaming surge appears to be driven by Quaid's heightened visibility from The Boys and strong word-of-mouth recommendations. Interestingly, the film is also trending on Netflix's Top 10 charts in several other countries, indicating this is a genuine, cross-platform rediscovery, not just an algorithm-driven blip on a single service. It's a testament to how streaming can give films a second life, allowing them to connect with viewers on their own terms.
This phenomenon of a film finding its footing post-theatrically is becoming more common. Just as Lili Reinhart's recent thriller found a massive audience on HBO Max, Companion is benefiting from the platform's reach. It joins the ranks of other top-tier thrillers that have captivated audiences long after their initial release windows closed.
What Makes 'Companion' a Must-Watch?
For viewers who enjoy their sci-fi with a heavy dose of psychological unease, Companion offers a tightly wound 97-minute experience. It blends elements of intimate relationship drama with broader genre thrills, creating a narrative that feels both personal and perilously expansive. Quaid's performance is a standout, showcasing a range far removed from the earnest heroism of Hughie, proving his versatility as a leading man in film.
The movie's success is a win for original, mid-budget genre filmmaking. It demonstrates that audience appetite for clever, well-crafted thrillers remains high, even if those films don't become instant blockbusters. As the streaming landscape continues to evolve, stories like Companion have a new pathway to success, building momentum through viewer enthusiasm rather than traditional marketing blitzes. It's a compelling case study in how a great film can eventually find its people.
Companion is now available to stream on HBO Max. For more recommendations in the genre, check out our list of the most flawless thrillers since 2004.
