Tags:
Film: Together
Year: 2025
Director: Michael Shanks
Writer: Michael Shanks
Starring: Dave Franco, Alison Brie and Damon Herriman
Review:
This was a film that I was intrigued by. I saw part of the trailer, realized that it was a horror film and then stopped. The bit I saw and ended up learning was that this was going to be a film about relationships. I also knew it was going to be body horror. That is a subgenre that I’m a fan of, especially since they tend to have interesting rationale behind it. Other than that, I came into this one blind. I’ve also now given it a second watch as part of my end of year roundup.
Synopsis: years into their relationship, Tim (Dave Franco) and Millie (Alison Brie) find themselves at a crossroads as they move to the country. With tensions already flaring, an encounter with an unnatural force threatens to corrupt their lives, their love and their flesh.
That synopsis does well. The story begins at a going-away party for teacher Millie and musician Tim. She is moving for a new teaching job at a rural high school. Tim, still pursuing his music career, agrees to play guitar on an upcoming tour with friends Jordy (Karl Richmond) and Luke (Jack Kenny) when it is offered at the party. He’ll figure out the logistics later. Millie's best friend, Cath (Mia Morrissey), expresses doubt about the couple's relationship, and an awkward moment at the party causes Millie to question it too.
Now our couple then moves and they settle in. There is a creepy nightmare that Tim has and it stems from a couple of things. Tim’s parents passed away. He hasn’t been mentally stable since. It was how he found them that was the most troubling and sticks with him. He also seems to think that there’s a divide between him and Millie, which is just getting worse. She doesn’t necessarily share that sentiment. She is frustrated that they haven’t been intimate since his parents died.
She goes to the school for her first day and befriends Jamie (Damon Herriman). He tells her about the trails in the woods by their houses and how great they are. Our couple then goes there to explore. They’re caught in a torrential downpour and they get stuck in a cave. There is a cold open that I didn’t mention about two dogs going down there and something happening to them. Tim decides to drink water from an odd pool, much like the animals.
This turns into a bigger issue as time goes on. They wake up the next morning with their legs stuck together. There is an odd scene where she goes into town to get groceries. Tim tries to shower but blacks out, moving around the shower in a mimicking fashion to how she is driving. He sees a doctor who prescribes muscle relaxers, but this only gives him temporary relief. The need to be together, for both, just grows as time goes on to the point where they’re inseparable, whether they want to or not.
That is where I’ll leave my recap and introduction to the characters. Where I want to start is with a comparison that I’m sure I’ll see soon. The Substance has paved the way for body horror being in the limelight currently. Both have interesting allegories and commentary to share without being too in your face. Personally, the comparisons end there. What I’ll say then to end this section is that I think both do well in conveying their message.
Let’s then start with the two lead characters. This character study focuses on Tim, a musician without a driver’s license, and Millie, a stable teacher, who have been together for ten years. I’ll bring back up the sentiment that Cath believes Millie can do better. Or at the least, be happy again. This causes her to question if their codependent relationship has run its course, especially since Tim relies on her for transportation. Despite these issues, they can be a perfect complement, with Tim being a good cook, which Jamie points out.
I’ll shift slightly here and just say that I love the fact that Franco and Brie are married in real life. Their raw emotion is evident. My wife and I often 'play fight' that becomes real, so I credit them for working together. Returning to the film, Jamie introduces an interesting Platonic concept I won't spoil. Once mentioned, things clicked, and I even guessed a reveal, though the ending didn't ruin it.
Where I’ll then go next is finishing up talking about the story with this cave they found. I love that we are introduced to it by these two dogs. The reason they’re in it is there’s a search for a missing couple. This becomes a recurring thing as Tim investigates it. The cave is interesting because it looks like a church. There is a bell and pews. I like how all this factors in. We also learn about it from Jamie who remembers the building before it sank into the ground. Tim makes jokes about it being a cult, which Jamie sets straight. The details here are interesting.
Let’s then shift over to the body horror so that goes into filmmaking aspects. The cinematography and framing are good, effectively capturing the contrast between Millie's love for the cute country house and Tim's feeling of imprisonment. The combination of practical and CGI effects is great and successfully induces cringing. The excellent sound design and fitting soundtrack contribute well to the tension and atmosphere.
All that is left then would be the acting performances. Franco and Brie are excellent, making their characters' relationship feel authentic, especially since as far as I know, they're happily married in real life. Herriman is also good as the new friend whose untrustworthiness emerges over time. Morrissey, Richmond, Kenny, and Aljin Abella are solid in supporting roles, effectively driving the leads' development and plot progression. The entire cast is strong.
In conclusion, this offers a compelling and disturbing exploration of a relationship pushed to its limits through the lens of body horror. Shanks effectively crafts a narrative that is both unsettling and insightful, elevated by the strong performances of Franco and Brie. The film's clever use of allegory, intriguing lore surrounding the mysterious cave and impressive filmmaking aspects—from cinematography to special effects and sound design—all contribute to a highly immersive and thought-provoking experience. While comparisons to other body horror films might arise, Together stands on its own as a unique and impactful character study that leaves a lasting impression, solidifying its place as a standout in the genre.
My Rating: 9 out of 10