Jack Quaid has made a name for himself in recent years, particularly recognized for his portrayal of Hughie in Prime Video’s acclaimed series The Boys. However, his role as Richie Kirsch in the 2022 reboot of Scream also gained significant attention. This installment, arriving a decade after Scream 4, acts as a legacy sequel, blending both new and familiar faces in a thrilling, self-aware horror narrative directed by Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin. In this film, Quaid plays the role of Richie, who is the boyfriend of Sam, played by Melissa Barrera.
The climax of Scream delivers a shocking twist where Richie, along with his accomplice Amber (Mikey Madison), is unveiled as one of the infamous Ghostface killers. Despite their gripping exit from the franchise and the fact that Quaid’s character does not return for Scream 6, which enjoyed notable success in 2023, he is gearing up to re-enter the horror genre with a promising new project. Prior to the anticipated release of The Boys season 5, Quaid is set to star in an upcoming horror film titled Companion, which teams him up once again with the creative minds behind the 2022 hit, Barbarian.
Jack Quaid Discusses His Return to Horror in Companion
An Enigmatic 2025 Film
In his latest venture, Quaid revisits the horror landscape in Companion, directed by Drew Hancock. While specifics about the plot remain undisclosed, the film boasts production by Zach Cregger, known for the successful Barbarian. Alongside Quaid, who plays Josh, the cast includes rising stars like Sophie Thatcher, Harvey Guillén, Lukas Gage, and Rupert Friend, with a recent teaser trailer hinting at a thrillingly dark narrative.
During a conversation with Empire magazine, Quaid shared his excitement about diving back into horror, reminiscing about the moment he read the script for the first time:
I got an email, and I remember seeing the words: “From the team that did (all caps) BARBARIAN.”As an actor, when you read something for the first time, that’s when you get to be like a fan – and when every reveal hit, I was blown away.
When discussing his character Josh’s persona, Quaid hints at a more complex identity:
“Josh is not someone I’d call a good guy – but to him, he is. He’s the protagonist of his own story. For me, [it] was not judging him too much, because I just didn’t want to play-act a cartoonish bad guy.”
Quaid also elaborated on his partnership with Thatcher, who portrays Iris, the film’s lead. Their chemistry is said to be pivotal to the film’s dynamic:
“The relationship between Josh and Iris is so complicated, to work with someone as talented as Sophie was a joy. I think chemistry is bred from two people who are willing to listen to each other, and Sophie’s an unbelievable listener. I also realised that if there was ever a moment where it felt our relationship was a bit off, it served us, because our relationship in the film is a bit off.
Implications of Quaid’s Horror Comeback for Companion
A Recipe for Success in Horror
With Companion scheduled to hit theaters in January, many elements of the film remain under wraps. Audiences are particularly curious about Josh’s motivations and desires. Since his appearance in Scream, Quaid’s popularity has surged, and it will be engaging to see him delve once again into a role with darker undertones. Likewise, Sophie Thatcher’s rising fame—enhanced by her roles in Yellowjackets and The Boogeyman—adds significant anticipation to the film.
Furthermore, Quaid is slated for another major role in the action movie Novocaine next year, marking his transition into action-oriented cinema.
With Cregger’s involvement as a producer, Companion is poised to be an exciting entry in the horror genre to kickstart 2025. Whether this film will achieve enough success to allow for potential sequels, reminiscent of the trajectory of 2022’s Scream, remains to be seen. Notably, with Quaid’s impressive range and growing star power, he is definitely an actor to watch in the coming years.
Source: Empire