Together

I caught an advanced screening of Together (2025) this evening in theaters. The story follows a couple who relocate from the city to a small town after the wife accepts a teaching position. While hiking, they discover a mysterious cavern with strange powers that create an unnatural pull between them. As they try to understand what's happening, they begin to physically and emotionally merge. Can they stop the morphing process, or will they be forced to surrender to it?

The film is written and directed by Michael Shanks, marking his directorial debut, and stars Dave Franco (Neighbors), Alison Brie (GLOW), and Damon Herriman (Better Man).

Body horror can be hit or miss for me-and this one leaned more toward a miss. Much of the content felt forced. The couple's dynamic, while based on real identity struggles within relationships, doesn't always land authentically. Their interactions often feel unnatural or flat-out irritating. There's even a moment when one of them says, "I don't want you anymore," and you think-finally, an out! But of course, the story doesn't take that turn.

That said, the film isn't without merit. The CGI is strong, there are a few effective jump scares, and one sex scene that's executed particularly well. Still, I found myself craving more horror and more tension. The couple simply trying to avoid each other didn't deliver the suspense or dread I was hoping for. It felt like the film was missing an extra gear it needed to really work.

In conclusion, Together is a very average entry in the horror and body horror space. I'd rate it a 5-5.5/10 and recommend waiting until it hits streaming.

My girlfriend and I went to this movie as part of Landmarks mystery movie night. I found the movie really kept you guessing as to what direction it was going to go. I thought Franco and Brie were great for their respective roles. The movie took a turn halfway through that threw me off, but it brought me back in at the end.

Not a revolutionary horror movie by any means but I quite enjoyed it! Recommend for anyone that's interested in checking out an original and interesting horror movie with some depth. I have found myself thinking about the film over the past few days since I saw it. It has a good mix of themes and had a few good laughs.

A bit outlandish at times (maybe even most of the time) but nonetheless I found it entertaining. Check it out 🙂

Going into this film completely blind is the play. Absolutely bonkers.

I appreciate an original horror story when it gets executed to perfection. Funny, cringey (in a good way) and downright absurd.

The story is interesting enough and follows cult/folk lore but the performances by Franco and Brie are the high point. Their chemistry is perfect and believable. The film highlights themes of co-dependency and fear of commitment in a truly insane way.

Granted, there are cliched moments that are usually present in the horror genre. And yes, such moments are in this film, but it definitely doesn't take away from the wild ride. This film reminiscences elements from "The Substance" but it warrants its own distinction.

Definitely up there with one of the best horror movies of the year.

Rating - 6.9: Overall, a decent body horror movie that has well-executed horror sequences and good chemistry between Dave Franco and Alison Brie; but I personally wasn't a big fan of the conflict once it's revealed and thought the movie was very cringey at times.

Direction - Decent to Pretty Good: The direction on a macroscale takes influences from horror movies like "Hereditary" and "Barbarian" with how it builds the conflict and the world, but has some comedic flavors; the direction on a microscale is too corny and white-couple-centric that it was too cringey to sit through, though there were some humorous moments I did enjoy; the storytelling is similar to "Hereditary" and "Barbarian" in how it searches for the conflict, then goes full send after it is revealed; they build tension very well, especially when building up the body horror sequences

Story - Decent to Pretty Good: The concept is pretty unique and interesting, but I really wasn't that big a fan of the actual conflict once it is revealed; the plot structure is similar to "Hereditary" and "Barbarian" in the way the movie tries to build up to the conflict reveal, then goes full speed towards the climax once it hits the inflection point; the character writing is decent

Screenplay - Decent to Pretty Good: The dialogue is too cringey and very stereotypically white; the humor is pretty prevalent, mainly because of the director and actors' comedy backgrounds; the symbolism is there, but I don't know if I am too much of a fan of it; the foreshadowing is very good as the movie drops clues on what the conflict is, well in advance of its reveal

Acting - Pretty Good: Dave Franco - Decent to Pretty Good (Basically, he plays every character he always plays; he has good chemistry with Brie, mainly because they are actually married), Alison Brie - Pretty Good to Good (Really takes control of the movie as she has charisma and good screen presence; she has good chemistry with both main cast members, but especially with Franco), Damon Herriman - Pretty Good (He plays his role well and has good chemistry with Brie), Rest of the cast - Pretty Good (The cast is really small, but the main cast does work together well)

Score - Decent: Helps set tension and tone

Cinematography - Pretty Good: Feels well-shot, especially with the budget's size

Editing - Pretty Good: Feels well-edited, especially considering the budget's size

Sound - Pretty Good: Helps build tension

Visual Effects - Good: Despite its low budget, the visual effects blended with the practical effects help make this movie look realistic, especially in the body horror sequences

Makeup - Very Good: Done very well to help create the body horror sequences

Pacing - Pacing is two-pronged because it is slow toward the conflict reveal, then very fast afterward; while the pacing was intentional, I would have liked to have seen maybe 10 minutes cut from the buildup to the climax to make the movie feel more balanced

Climax - Climax is executed well, even the resolution is a little forced

Tone - The tone is very body horror but has comedic flavors

Final Notes - Saw the Texas premiere at SXSW.