Together Review: Body Horror You Can Bring A Date To

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Has the subgenre of body horror become widely accepted in the 2020s? It’s significant that a film like “Titane,” which could induce fainting due to its graphic depiction of body horror, was able to surpass both squeamishness and genre prejudice to win the Palme d’Or at Cannes. Even more striking is the critical acclaim for Demi Moore’s intensely gory monster transformation in “The Substance,” with five Oscar nominations including best picture. The upcoming release of “Together,” which has been acquired for wide distribution, might be indicative of a new phase in the genre’s evolution: what was once considered too extreme for mainstream audiences — the type of horror that even other horror fans found unpalatable — is now suitable for date night viewing.

In a fresh directorial debut by Michael Shanks, the leading roles are occupied by real-life couple Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, a duo who have been together for a decade without tying the knot or engaging in any intimate moments for several months. As they perceive “boyfriend” and “girlfriend” to be too juvenile for their current stage of relationship, they are relocating to a rural home due to Millie’s new teaching position (Tim’s music career aspirations have not been yielding success). Millie contemplates breaking up with Tim to prevent future emotional pain, but instead unexpectedly proposes to him – an offer he declines due to deep-rooted family issues surrounding commitment.

In an unusual twist, Tim and Millie’s troubles with loyalty and interdependence take a bizarre turn as they both fall into a sinkhole leading to a cave housing the remnants of an abandoned church. After Tim consumes the water in the cave – the inevitable poor choice every horror movie hero faces at least once – his relationship woes metamorphose into a physical illness. Being isolated triggers panic attacks, and when their bodies come into contact, it becomes progressively challenging to separate them. From there, the issues continue to spiral and intensify.

Together is gross, but not excessive

In an impressive feat of balancing tones, the movie “Together” manages to serve as both a lighthearted romantic comedy and a chilling body horror film. A significant part of its success lies in its ability to make its major scenes both humorous and terrifying, yet also nauseating and heartwarming all at once. Michael Shanks skillfully portrays the extremity of the situation while maintaining an approachable level of horror compared to the Philippou brothers’ “Bring Her Back”. Unlike the heavily anticipated gory scenes in “Bring Her Back”, the most gruesome moment in “Together” is only hinted at, cleverly omitted through a cut that releases tension and allows the audience to laugh.

The exceptional acting abilities of Dave Franco and Alison Brie, coupled with their genuine on-screen connection, make the characters Tim and Millie captivating as they struggle against being merged into a single entity. While real-life partners might find it easier to portray fictional lovers, this casting choice introduces an additional hurdle for a film delving into the darker, uncomfortable truths of long-term relationships. Nonetheless, Franco and Brie handle this challenge gracefully, seamlessly blending humor and horror in their performances.

The horror effects in this movie aren’t as mind-blowing as those in “The Substance” or John Carpenter’s “The Thing,” but given its smaller budget and indie status, the blend of CGI and practical effects effectively creates disturbing visuals. The character of Jamie (Damon Herriman), a fellow teacher who talks about his husband in the past tense and offers Millie advice to stay strong with her partner, provides backstory in a way that balances detail and mystery. Jamie’s discussions on Plato’s “Symposium” made me think of other queer connections to this story, such as the song “The Origin of Love” from “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” and how “Together” resembles a dark twist on parts of “Steven Universe.” As body horror often invites queer interpretations, I’m eager to see analysis that explores this aspect of “Together,” even though it primarily focuses on a heterosexual couple.

Whether or not it’s original, Together is a bit obvious

In the discussion of the movie “Together,” there’s a significant controversy surrounding a plagiarism lawsuit filed by Patrick Henry Phelan. He claims that substantial parts of “Together” were taken from his upcoming film, “Better Half,” which is yet to secure distribution beyond film festival screenings. While I can’t compare the two films directly due to this, based on the available evidence, it seems that these allegations might be dismissed.

The main reason being, the central themes of the two movies appear quite distinct: “Better Half” is a comedy about a mishap during a one-night stand, while “Together” is a horror story focusing on a long-term relationship. Moreover, the elements that Phelan’s lawsuit suggests are identical between the films are often common references for anyone who independently develops the concept of merged bodies, such as Plato’s “Symposium” and the Spice Girls song “2 Become 1.

Despite the plagiarism allegations being unfounded, “Together” still has an obvious flaw that prevents it from becoming extraordinary: its themes are too overt from the start, lacking the subtlety needed to create something truly memorable. The symbolism of toxic relationships is blatant, and while the film does begin to introduce more complexity toward the end, this raises further questions about the characters’ actions without providing a clear solution for their predicament.

Although I don’t expect subtlety in body horror, the predictability of “Together” gives it a somewhat disposable feel. If you can handle its marketing materials (the trailers and posters are spot-on in conveying the level of horror), then you’ll undoubtedly enjoy the film. However, I’m not convinced that it will leave a lasting impression.

“Together” opens in theaters on July 30.

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2025-07-25 23:00