Jack Quaid is embracing his dark side in Companion, marking a major shift from his usual heroic roles. Best known for playing the morally grounded Hughie Campbell in The Boys, Quaid told Entertainment Weekly that he was excited to finally play a villain.
In Companion, a romantic thriller, Quaid’s character, Josh, initially seems like the perfect boyfriend, encouraging his nervous girlfriend Iris (Sophie Thatcher) to connect with his friends during a getaway. However, in a shocking twist, Iris is revealed to be an android that Josh purchased and programmed—a revelation that exposes his deeply sinister nature.
Quaid admitted that playing a villain was refreshing, saying, “You have to trick yourself into believing that the character you’re playing is a good guy, and I’m so happy that I don’t have to do that anymore because he’s a real s—head.”
However, the shift came with unexpected challenges. Since film crews often rally around the protagonist, Quaid found himself in an unfamiliar position—having people actively root against his character. He recalled overhearing crew members joking about Josh’s behavior, which, while deserved, he had to ignore to stay in character.
The biggest challenge, according to Quaid, was finding empathy for such a toxic character. While filming, he avoided judging Josh, but once production wrapped, he fully embraced his disdain for the character, saying, “Screw that guy.”
Companion is currently playing in theaters.