In the upcoming horror movie Together, actors Dave Franco and Alison Brie portray a couple whose intense relationship takes a horrifying turn when they become physically fused together. This body horror concept challenges the usual safety a significant other provides during stressful times, replacing comfort with a terrifying new form of codependency. The film, written and directed by Michael Shanks, is scheduled for release in theaters on July 30th, promising a chilling exploration of love and horror.
The Story Behind Together’s Unsettling Premise
NEON offers a brief overview of the film’s plot:
“Years into their relationship, Tim and Millie (Dave Franco and Alison Brie) find themselves at a crossroads as they move to the country, abandoning all that is familiar in their lives except each other. With tensions already flaring, a nightmarish encounter with a mysterious, unnatural force threatens to corrupt their lives, their love, and their flesh.”
The film’s narrative centers on the complications of a long-term relationship pushed to extremes through horror elements, blending the familiar with the grotesque. The shift to a rural environment underscores their isolation, which amplifies the strain between the characters as supernatural forces intervene.
Critical Response Highlights Together’s Unique Approach
Although horror films often receive mixed or poor critical reviews, Together currently enjoys an exceptional reception, holding a 100% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on over 50 reviews. Critics praise the film for its originality and emotional depth wrapped in a horror framework.
Meagan Navarro from Bloody Disgusting commended the movie’s creative lens, stating,
“It’s an inventive and clever exploration of a relationship at a crossroads, one that’s grown complacent and codependent. Framing a romantic dramedy, complete with cringe humor and a Spice Girls needle drop, through a Lovecraftian body horror lens yields more than enough fun to forgive its underserved elements. It’s the type of zany crowd-pleaser that delivers on its premise with an unhinged sense of humor and heart.”
Meanwhile, Britt Hayes of MovieWeb compared Together favorably to acclaimed relationship-focused films:
“Together is one of the best genre films about romantic relationships in years, and it belongs right up there with Spike Jonze’s Her and Michel Gondry’s Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Like those films, Together uses genre to consider its themes in supremely satisfying ways (including a killer needle drop), and yet somehow it feels entirely different and new. After seeing it, you’ll probably wonder how and why no one thought about making a movie like this until now.”
Dave Franco’s Enthusiasm for Horrific Practical Effects
Dave Franco’s involvement in Together fulfills his desire to engage deeply with the body horror genre, emphasizing authentic and practical effects. He expressed to ComicBook in 2023,
“I’m not going to take anything off the table, but I am having a little bit of an itch to get back to horror.”
He continued,
“I just am such a fan of the genre, and Alison and I, we went through a phase recently where we rewatched a ton of [David] Cronenberg films, and it just made me really want to do something with practical effects and really set aside the time to get that right and do it where it feels really old school and palpable and gross and all that stuff.”
This passion for traditional horror elements influences Together’s aesthetic, blending visceral, tactile horror with the emotional intensity of the couple’s deteriorating relationship.
What Audiences Can Expect and the Film’s Anticipated Impact
Together stands out for merging romantic drama with body horror in a way that has resonated with both critics and early viewers, providing a fresh take within the genre. Its creative use of practical effects alongside a focus on relationship dynamics invites audiences to experience a disturbing but heartfelt story. The film’s July 30th theatrical release is likely to attract fans of horror who appreciate both scares and emotional complexity.
With its high praise and unique concept, Together may inspire further exploration of intimate relationships through horror storytelling, potentially influencing similar projects in the future. The involvement of recognizable actors like Dave Franco and Alison Brie ensures the film will draw attention, both for its performances and its inventive narrative.
Viewers interested in a horror story that explores the extremes of love and physical decay can look forward to experiencing Together soon in theaters.
