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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.

I recently watched Straw (2025) on Netflix. The story follows a single mother struggling to care for her daughter, who has serious medical issues. She's behind on rent, her daughter's medication is unaffordable, and her boss is running out of patience. When the school calls about her child, she asks to leave work early and rushes to the bank to cash a check so she can afford the medicine. But a misunderstanding at the bank leads them to believe she's trying to rob the place-and from there, her life spirals into chaos.

This film is written and directed by Tyler Perry (Diary of a Mad Black Woman) and stars Taraji P. Henson (Hustle & Flow), Teyana Taylor (Stomp the Yard 2), Sherri Shepherd (Precious), Sinbad (Jingle All the Way), and Glynn Turman (Cooley High).

At its core, Straw is a powerful showcase for Taraji P. Henson, who absolutely commands the screen with a heartbreaking and deeply human performance. The film feels grounded and authentic throughout, capturing the raw emotional weight of what it's like to be on the edge, just trying to survive. It's a gut-punch of a movie-realistic, emotional, and a definite tearjerker. The writing is some of Tyler Perry's best in years, a major step up from his recent output.

If there's one weak point, it's Teyana Taylor's performance, which felt uneven and lacked authenticity. However, it wasn't enough to take away from the overall impact of the film.

In conclusion, Straw is Tyler Perry's best work in a long time, driven by a phenomenal lead performance from Taraji P. Henson. I'd give it a solid 8/10 and strongly recommend it.

I recently watched the French film 🇫🇷 The Living Dead Girl (1982) on Shudder. The story follows a woman who was buried in a crypt beneath her family estate. Years later, an experiment gone wrong releases toxic chemicals into the tomb-reviving the woman from the dead. Now, she wants her home back... and everyone in it dead.

This film is directed by Jean Rollin (Fascination) and stars Marina Pierro (The Innocent), Françoise Blanchard (Police Destination Oasis), and Carina Barone (Let's Make a Dirty Movie).

The Living Dead Girl is one of those hidden gems that keeps you smiling from start to finish. The practical effects are top-tier-far better than I expected. It opens with a bang thanks to a brutal eye scene, and it delivers throughout with intense stabbings, blood splatter, and a memorable female killer. The performances are solid, and the film offers up plenty of the classic horror nudity you'd expect from this era and style.

In short, The Living Dead Girl is exactly the kind of hidden gem horror fans hope to discover when scrolling through streaming platforms. I'd give it a solid 8/10.