The best thriller on HBO Max right now is one you’ve probably missed
The best thriller on HBO Max right now is one you’ve probably missed
‘Companion’ is smart, creepy, and totally buried in the algorithm.
There’s so much new stuff dropping on streamers every week, it’s easy to miss a great movie or TV show — especially when it’s not being promoted. HBO Max is packed with big-name movies and solid originals, but some of the best titles are buried so deep, you’d never stumble on them unless you were actively searching. That’s exactly what has happened with “Companion,” a seriously great sci-fi thriller that’s way better than most of what’s trending right now… and yet, you’d never know it unless you went digging. Here’s why “Companion” is the best under-the-radar thriller on HBO Max right now.
Best under-the-radar thriller movie on HBO Max
Why ‘Companion’ is the most underrated thriller on HBO Max
I saw “Companion” in theaters earlier this year and walked out thinking it was going to be huge. It’s sharp, dark, intense, funny, and actually has something to say about tech in our everyday lives. Sophie Thatcher is incredible in it (she’s from “Yellowjackets”), and Jack Quaid plays such a convincing creep that you kind of want to throw your popcorn at the screen. It’s one of those movies that hits the perfect mix of psychological tension, sci-fi ideas, and survival-thriller pacing. Easily one of my favorite movies of 2025 so far.
That’s why it’s been so weird to watch this movie just… disappear. It never got a big theatrical push. I barely saw any ads for it, and then when it quietly showed up on HBO Max, I had to search for it. It wasn’t on the homepage, not in any of the “trending now” carousels — it was like the algorithm had no idea it existed. Meanwhile, “A Minecraft Movie” is everywhere on HBO Max. No shade to that movie (I love it!), but “Companion” deserves way more attention than it’s getting.
Turns out that low-key rollout wasn’t just my imagination. Warner Bros. barely marketed this thing. The total marketing spend was modest, especially for a studio thriller, and they didn’t put much behind streaming promotion either. Which is wild, because the movie crushed it critically, made back its budget three times over (not crazy but respectable), and actually has something to say about control, identity, and the dark side of tech. If this had come out during the height of “Black Mirror” mania, it would’ve been all anyone was talking about. Instead, it’s hiding in plain sight — right there on HBO Max, waiting to blow your mind.
Companion
During a weekend getaway at a secluded lakeside estate, a group of friends finds themselves entangled in a web of secrets, deception, and advanced technology. As tensions rise and loyalties are tested, they uncover unsettling truths about themselves and the world around them.
What is ‘Companion’ about?
“Companion” is set in a not-too-distant future where super lifelike AI partners — called companions — are a thing you can rent. The story kicks off with a group of friends heading to a lake house for a chill weekend, but things take a dark turn fast. One of them, Iris (played by Sophie Thatcher), gets caught up in something violent, and from there, the whole vibe shifts into something way more intense.
Without giving too much away, let’s just say Iris isn’t exactly who everyone thinks she is. As stuff starts unraveling, the movie digs into some big questions — like what it means to be in control, and whether something artificial can actually think or feel for itself. Jack Quaid plays her boyfriend Josh, and he’s great in a role that gets darker and darker the longer it goes. With a killer supporting cast (Lukas Gage, Megan Suri, Harvey Guillén), the movie keeps you guessing while mixing sci-fi, thriller, and some really sharp, creepy moments. Check it out cause you won’t be disappointed.
Other underappreciated thriller movies on HBO Max
If you’re looking for more thrillers that flew under the radar on HBO Max, there are a few standouts that deserve way more attention. “Cleaner” is a gritty new release starring Daisy Ridley as a high-rise window washer with a dangerous past. It’s fast-paced, sharp, and totally got lost in the shuffle of bigger studio releases. “Kimi,” directed by Steven Soderbergh, is a slick tech thriller starring Zoë Kravitz as an agoraphobic worker who overhears something she wasn’t supposed to — tight, suspenseful, and very now. And if you’re up for something bolder, “Love Lies Bleeding” is a wild, neon-soaked ride through obsession, steroids, and bad decisions, with Kristen Stewart delivering one of her most intense performances yet. Check them out with a subscription to HBO Max starting at $10 per month.
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