The Travel Companion

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1:52

The Travel Companion

Apr 2026

1h 31m

Drama

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

40 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Simon (Tristan Turner) is an early 30s filmmaker living in New York City with his best friend and roommate, Bruce (Anthony Oberbeck), who works for an airline. As Bruce’s dedicated "travel companion," he gets to fly for free on standby anytime he wants -- an incredible asset for his unfinished, sprawling documentary about humanity, which he can't quite describe but hopes to find in the edit. After a lackluster film screening, Simon's life takes a turn when he befriends Beatrice (Naomi Asa), a fellow filmmaker, and invites her to join him and Bruce at a bar. Bruce and Beatrice hit it off and before long, Simon wakes to find Beatrice in his kitchen. As his roommate's budding relationship gets more serious, Simon begins to fear losing his coveted travel perks. With only two months left until Bruce can change the recipient of his flight benefits, Simon begins to compromise his friendship with Bruce in his pursuit of retaining the free flights. Meanwhile, Simon's jealousy of Beatrice's successful filmmaking career intensifies, and he gradually loses focus on his own creative project as this obsession takes over. Can Simon keep both the benefits and his friendship intact?

Critics Consensus

Despite brushing against familiar indie clichés, The Travel Companion remains a sharply observed, quirky character study that evolves into a bittersweet and incisive critique of creative ambition.

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Guy Lodge

Variety

1d

An unassuming but perceptive debut feature from writer-directors Travis Wood and Alex Mallis, The Travel Companion observes an artist’s supposedly roving spirit critically at odds with his manchild dependencies.

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Christian Zilko

IndieWire

Apr 13

B

It’s not entirely safe from cliches... But Wood, Mallis, and co-writer Weston Auburn satirize the subtle ways that aspiring filmmakers, programmers, and cinephiles talk to each other so effectively that the film should charm its intended audience.

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Nell Minow

RogerEbert.com

Apr 10

3.5/4

It draws us in with acutely observed details and relatable characters that portray universal conflicts, all with nuance and good humor.

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Bill Arceneaux

Moviegoing with Bill

Jun 10

4/5

A cute comedy in the same breath as 'Frances Ha'. Arrested development in motion.

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Stephen Silver

Splice Today

Jun 4

A fresh take on modern male friendship. I’d never heard of anyone involved in the film before I saw it, but I am eager to see what the filmmakers do next.

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Rendy Jones

Rendy Reviews

May 31

3/5

A cautionary fable on what happens when you don't tell your lifelong bestie to grow up and touch some grass.

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Kathy

Apr 20

Sooo boring. I fell asleep. My friend fell asleep. Terrible movie

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Danny P

@odindio Apr 20

Almost nothing happens during the entire duration of this movie.

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Alex Mallis

Director

Travis Wood

Director

Joanna Arnow

Actor

Peter Davis

Actor

Tristan Turner

Simon

Anthony Oberbeck

Bruce

The Travel Companion: Trailer 1

1:52

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Synopsis

Simon (Tristan Turner) is an early 30s filmmaker living in New York City with his best friend and roommate, Bruce (Anthony Oberbeck), who works for an airline. As Bruce’s dedicated "travel companion," he gets to fly for free on standby anytime he wants -- an incredible asset for his unfinished, sprawling documentary about humanity, which he can't quite describe but hopes to find in the edit. After a lackluster film screening, Simon's life takes a turn when he befriends Beatrice (Naomi Asa), a fellow filmmaker, and invites her to join him and Bruce at a bar. Bruce and Beatrice hit it off and before long, Simon wakes to find Beatrice in his kitchen. As his roommate's budding relationship gets more serious, Simon begins to fear losing his coveted travel perks. With only two months left until Bruce can change the recipient of his flight benefits, Simon begins to compromise his friendship with Bruce in his pursuit of retaining the free flights. Meanwhile, Simon's jealousy of Beatrice's successful filmmaking career intensifies, and he gradually loses focus on his own creative project as this obsession takes over. Can Simon keep both the benefits and his friendship intact?

Director: Alex Mallis, Travis Wood
Producer: Weston Auburn, Travis Wood, Alex Mallis
Screenwriter: Alex Mallis, Travis Wood, Weston Auburn
Distributor: Oscilloscope Laboratories
Production Co: Meerkat Media, BRIC TV, Art School Athletics
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 10, 2026, Limited
Runtime: 1h 31m