S Poddar
Jack Quaid is a talented young actor who has proven himself as a shining star in multiple genres, and the latest film in which he features, Companion, is already setting the world of sci-fi horror comedy abuzz. Since M3GAN and Five Nights at Freddy’s broke box office records, 2025 brought forth a new contender to the genre, and it was Companion, which fans had fallen in love with.
He is famous for playing the character Hughie in the hit television series The Boys. However, this young lad has again taken over the scene by starring in the film Companion, which premiered in the United States on January 31. It is gaining fantastic reviews from the critics as well as audiences. The movie has a brilliant approval rating of 90%+ from both ends and is blessed with two top-notch badges on Rotten Tomatoes. The critics have given the film a solid 94% approval score, while the moviegoers have followed suit with a thrilling 91%, resulting in the coveted Verified Fresh and Hot badges on the Popcornmeter.
What makes Companion stand out from other recent releases in the horror comedy genre is its clever twist. At first glance, it may seem like a standard slasher flick, but the film introduces a fascinating and darkly humorous element that adds a unique flavor. The story follows Josh, played by Quaid, and his partner Iris, portrayed by Sophie Thatcher (known for her roles in The Boogeyman and Heretic), as they take a trip with friends to a remote cabin for a weekend getaway. The cozy setting that has settled over the group is thrown for a tailspin when one of their guests is revealed not to be what they seem. They are actually a robot companion. This odd twist gives the movie a lot of sci-fi mixed with horror and comedy.
Despite a tight budget of just $10 million, Companion looks good so far. The movie collected around $9.5 million in a little over just one weekend into its run and shows promise on its way toward a successful series. It certainly has to gross between $20 million and $25 million but, with that and the fact that it opened to positive feedback, it has every chance to hit that by an early milestone.
The success of the film further contributes to Jack Quaid’s consciously picked roles in film. As is often the case, when known as the son of the Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid duo, Jack has managed to sidestep typical nepotism pitfalls and has drawn critical acclaim for his talent and a really good eye for selecting scripts. While Companion is one of his latest triumphs, it continues a streak of roles that have earned critical praise. His previous work has consistently garnered strong ratings, with the majority of his projects receiving the Certified Fresh label on Rotten Tomatoes.
One of Quaid’s earlier hits was Smallfoot in 2018, followed by his standout role in Plus One the same year. Both films received positive reviews, but it was Smallfoot which received compliment from the high level animation and voice over. The actor later voiced in the perfect-scored Batman: The Long Halloween in 2021. His role of a young Bruce Wayne made the film one of the greatest animated performances of the Batman character.
Another, more recent performance in the 2022 slasher flick Scream further cemented his place in the hearts of horror fans. The film was part of the Scream franchise revival and, similar to the original films, gained a strong following among the audience. His role in Oppenheimer, released in 2023, further cemented his growing status in Hollywood as the historical drama widely received good reviews.
Most interestingly, however, Quaid’s list of successes is not limited to films only. He also has left an indelible mark on television with his performance as Ensign Brad Boimler in Star Trek: Lower Decks. This animated series has chronicled the escapades of the lower officers in Starfleet and garnered 91% from the critics’ consensus. Work done by Quaid as Boimler is always loved by fans; he depicted a likable yet sometimes misinformed individual who adds that certain charm to the series. He also lends his voice to the title character in the animated series My Adventures with Superman, which has also been well-received for its story and animation quality.
Quaid can be aptly described as an actor who can diversify easily from being in all these aspects of animation, sci-fi, horror, to even straight drama acts. For whatever he is on live-action screen or providing voiceovers to animated ones, he continues rapidly becoming the name to watch for quality performances. Involvement in cult classics as well as mainstream films stretches his appeal across different demographics.
His success with Companion and the accolades it has garnered only further confirm that Quaid is a rising star with a remarkable career trajectory. As he continues to choose diverse roles, he’s building an impressive body of work that shows no signs of slowing down. It’s clear that his career will continue to flourish, as both critics and fans remain excited to see what he does next.
With a keen sense of selecting roles that showcase his talents, it’s no surprise that Jack Quaid has become a favorite among filmmakers and audiences alike. Companion may be the latest in his impressive list of projects, but it’s certainly not the last. Fans can expect more from this promising actor as he continues to navigate Hollywood’s complex landscape and cement his place as one of the industry’s most exciting talents.
