Together
Well don’t be co-dependent, kids. Lol.
Imagine The Substance, but played in total reverse and without the self-acceptance aspect, and you’ll have a rough idea of what Michael Shanks and Neon were aiming for with Together, starring Dave Franco and Alison Brie.
The film follows a couple in their early thirties who have been together for a long time. She’s the responsible one with a steady job; he’s the aimless musician still clinging to teenage dreams. When Millie, the girlfriend, lands a new job, they leave the big city for a small, quiet town, settling into a peaceful house on the edge of the forest. It’s a classic horror setup — new home, strange little signs that something’s off, dead rats and nightmares. During a hike, they fall into a mysterious underground cavity, spend the night there, drink water from a well, and return home seemingly fine… until odd things start happening.
They begin to feel a literal physical connection, occasionally sticking to each other, and the story shifts into a surreal exploration of emotional and physical co-dependence.
Despite being labeled as body horror, the film is surprisingly light and easy to watch. The actual body horror elements are scarce and saved mostly for the finale. Much of the runtime leans on goofy jokes and lighthearted moments, which work well enough, while still touching on themes of love, attachment, and identity — particularly the risk of losing oneself in a relationship. Shanks plays with the image of “those couples” who wear T-shirts with each other’s faces, but also nudges viewers to consider how individuality can erode in the name of love.
For a horror purist, the ending might feel too gentle — the merging of the characters is voluntary, tender, and romantic, rather than disturbing or against their will. The final shot, where the couple’s parents meet their now unified “child,” is very stupid and hilarious.
It’s possible the real-life marriage between Franco and Brie adds a layer of authenticity that makes the on-screen romance feel genuine — and maybe that’s why the ending doesn’t hit as hard as it could. Still, as a feature debut for Michael Shanks, Together is a charming, quirky, and thematically interesting watch. It may not break new ground in horror, but it’s an easy, pleasant evening at the movies.
6.5/10