CINEMA
TOGETHER (2025)
MPAA: NR.
Release Date: 08/01/25 [Cinemas]
Genre: Horror. SciFi.
Studio: Neon.
[Seen for SXSW 2025]
"A couple's move to the countryside triggers a supernatural incident that drastically alters their relationship, existence, and physical form."
OUR MOVIE REVIEW:
Together, the psychological and body horror film from writer-director Michael Shanks, blends relationship drama with creeping dread and visceral transformation in ways that feel both fresh and unsettling. Starring real-life couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie, the film starts with the deceptively simple setup of a couple relocating to the countryside. What follows is an increasingly strange and eerie spiral into supernatural territory, where the boundaries between love, identity, and physical self begin to blur. It's intimate and bizarre in equal measure, offering an experience that feels deeply personal even as it veers into the grotesque.
What sets Together apart is its ability to tap into something raw beneath its horror—namely the codependency and loss of self that can grow within a long-term relationship. Shanks uses the supernatural as both a literal and metaphorical force, pushing Tim and Millie to confront the idea that they may be too entwined for their own good. The scares come in multiple forms, from effective jump scares to moments of slow-burning tension that quietly rattle the viewer. It's not horror by the numbers, and that unpredictability gives the film its edge.
Franco and Brie are completely convincing as a couple unraveling under the weight of something they can’t quite explain. Their natural chemistry helps ground the film, especially as things get increasingly abstract and grotesque. It’s also refreshing to see both actors tackle something this physically and emotionally transformative, especially in a genre they’re not typically associated with. Damon Herriman adds an understated but effective presence in a supporting role. Meanwhile, the combination of practical effects and CGI gives the film a tactile, lived-in quality, with the body horror hitting just the right level of disturbing without going overboard. Love and identity collide in a way that's as haunting as it is intimate.
As the film builds toward its finale, it becomes more fragmented and interpretive. The third act might leave some audiences scratching their heads, but it doesn’t feel out of place given the film’s themes of entanglement and the erosion of personal boundaries. The ending is ambiguous, yes, but that ambiguity feels intentional—less about delivering clear resolution and more about inviting viewers to sit with the discomfort of not knowing where the self ends and the relationship begins.
In the end, Together is a strange, intimate, and effective horror film that lingers. It's creepy, unique, and anchored by strong performances that make the descent into madness feel earned. Whether you're drawn in by the body horror, the emotional unraveling, or just seeing two actors stretch into unexpected territory, it delivers.

OUR VERDICT:
.png)