“Loves Company” Is Not Quite What It Seems

Loves Company (Jason Laurits, 2026) 3 out of 5 stars

We all know the common phrase that alludes to experiencing trouble and wanting to share it with others and/or be around those having the same issue. Well, with director Jason Laurits’ debut feature Loves Company, and with the fact that the synopsis of his film involves a crazed fan meeting their idol and nursing him back to health after a car crash, the parallels are all too obvious: this film is just a knock-off of Misery, the acclaimed Stephen King adaptation, right? Actually, no. While Loves Company certainly has some clever nods to the 1990 classic, the film is uniquely its own.

In Loves Company, Blake De Troy (Jack Plotnick, A Spy Movie) is a has-been TV star, famous for his recurring role on a popular old game show. Long gone from the series, Blake spends most of his time intoxicated and under the influence of drugs. One day, while riding through the Florida Everglades, he is involved in a car crash. The next thing he knows, he wakes up in a small trailer-park home tied to a bed.

In walks Antoinette (Rachel Dratch, I Love My Dad), perhaps Blake’s most dedicated—and likely last—remaining fan. “Do you believe in fate?” she asks, after enlightening him with all the details of her fandom, excited to finally meet the TV star she and her dad had watched during her childhood. However, Antoinette will soon realize Blake is not at all she thought he was. You know what they say: never meet your heroes!

While the premise surely echoes Misery, Loves Company takes a generally different route. Firstly, Loves Company is not a horror film, thriller, or even really a drama. It’s pure comedy. What references we do get to Misery come in the form of clever misdirection. A sledgehammer in hand? Only used for balance. An old typewriter on a shelf? Just a relic used for decor. The inventive nods used here are really the extent of the resemblance.

The premise actually works very well as a comedy. There is a mix of awkward humor, absurdity, and situational hilarity giving the viewer a variety of laughs. Plotnick is very amusing as Blake De Troy, with witty one-liners and hilarious mutters under his breaths. The dialogue is well-done, too. Dratch also turns in a very well-rounded performance as Antoinette, equal parts funny and heartfelt.

The film does cut some corners in terms of technical aspects and visuals, likely for budget reasons. For example, the car crash is only heard, not seen. There are also a few sound choices that aren’t of the best quality. Still, the cinematography is respectable and I enjoyed the color palette.

The conclusion is not quite as strong as the first two acts. The situation devolves into some random ridiculousness near the end that isn’t quite as funny as the more nuanced humor early on. It finishes with a strangely emotional scene which feels a bit out of place.

Overall, however, Loves Company is a good time and a unique twist on a classic scenario. Laurits succeeds here with comedy, characters, and clever misdirection. If you’re a Misery fan, you may enjoy the subtle hints and such, but be warned: though the plot seems familiar, Loves Company is entirely its own thing. 

Matt Patti

Matt Patti has enjoyed voicing his opinions on films from a young age. He has lived in the Baltimore, Maryland, area since 2015 and is a graduate of Stevenson University’s Film & Moving Image program. Matt is currently back at Stevenson University, working as the School of Design, Arts, and Communication's Studio Manager.