Sundance Body Horror Film ‘Together’ Sells for Millions

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It seems that body horror continues to triumph, especially after the impressive five Academy Award nominations for “The Substance,” including Best Picture! Given this success, any studio would be prudent to acquire the next potential blockbuster in the body horror genre. Moreover, another anticipated sensation, “Together” featuring Dave Franco and Alison Brie, was showcased at Sundance Film Festival and created quite a stir. Following its midnight debut, it generated considerable buzz and is now the first film officially sold from Sundance.

According to reports, Neon secured global rights for the movie “Together” after its debut at the Sundance Film Festival. This was the first sale from the festival, and there was quite a battle between Neon, A24, and Mubi to obtain the body horror film. Both A24 and Mubi could have provided an excellent home for it, given their success with the body horror movie “The Substance”. However, Neon emerged victorious as they have established themselves as a leading distributor for buzzworthy titles, especially in the horror genre.

The exact sale price remains undisclosed, yet Variety speculates it could be between $10 million and $15 million, sold to Neon. If it did sell at the higher end, it would place Together among the most significant sales in the festival’s history. The swift sale of the film isn’t surprising given its popularity among festival-goers, as it was one of the few films generating buzz during the event. Moreover, horror movies tend to appeal to audiences, and when served with a touch of intelligence, such projects can potentially thrive beyond the confines of the genre audience.

‘Together’ Puts a Horror Spin on Codependency

The film, directed by debutant Michael Shanks for the first time, focuses on a couple portrayed by Franco and Brie, who decide to relocate to the countryside. This duo, serving as an archetype of codependency, aim to grow even more intertwined in their new location.

In another version, the intense bond between them transforms into a frightening reality when an otherworldly influence in their home gives it a disturbingly physical form. The film is known for its biting satire on codependency, made even more intriguing by James Franco and Brie Larson playing the main characters, who are a real-life couple.

According to data, sales at Sundance have been less than expected, but the movie “Together,” after its midnight debut at the Eccles Center, received immense appreciation from the attending crowd. The film’s sharp humor resonated strongly with them, and they reacted enthusiastically during its more extreme scenes, which were highly praised. It’s quite likely that 2025 could see a film similar to “The Substance” with “Together.

Neon has been consistently impressing audiences with its blend of chilling and intellectually stimulating horror films. Last year, their indie studio hit it big with ‘Longlegs’, followed by positive feedback for ‘Immaculate’, ‘Cuckoo’, and the recent release of Steven Soderbergh’s ‘Presence’, which has been receiving rave reviews. Coming soon is Osgood Perkins’ ‘The Monkey’ based on a Stephen King short story, set to premiere on February 21st. To showcase their versatility, they are also taking ‘Anora’ to the Academy Awards with six nominations for non-horror categories.

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2025-01-29 20:04