Together Movie Review: A Grotesque, Heartfelt Dive into Love and CodependencyDirected by Michael Shanks, Together (2025) is a bold, unsettling fusion of body horror, romantic drama, and dark comedy that explores the visceral extremes of codependency. Starring real-life couple Alison Brie and Dave Franco, this Australian production, released on July 30, 2025, by Neon, transforms the intimate struggles of a long-term relationship into a nightmarish allegory. With its blend of squirm-inducing effects, sharp humor, and raw emotional depth, Together is a standout in the 2025 horror landscape, though it occasionally stumbles under its own ambitions. This review delves into its strengths, flaws, and the haunting questions it raises about love and identity.A Relationship Under SiegeTogether follows Millie (Alison Brie), a driven schoolteacher, and Tim (Dave Franco), a struggling musician, as they relocate from the city to the countryside for Millie’s new job. After a decade together, their relationship is strained—Tim’s music career is faltering, they haven’t been intimate in months, and an awkward public proposal at their farewell party exposes cracks in their bond. Tim’s reluctance to commit and his dependence on Millie, who drives him everywhere due to his lack of a license, breeds resentment. The move, meant to be a fresh start, instead amplifies their tensions.The film’s horror kicks in when the couple, on a hike, falls into a sunken, H.R. Giger-esque cavern that once housed a “new age” chapel. Trapped overnight, Tim drinks from a murky pool, triggering a supernatural force that literally binds them together. Their legs adhere with a sticky film, and after a painful separation, their bodies develop an escalating, magnetic pull—both psychological and physical. As their limbs merge in grotesque ways, the film uses body horror to mirror their codependent dynamic, asking: Can love survive when it consumes your individuality?Stellar Performances and ChemistryAlison Brie and Dave Franco deliver powerhouse performances, leveraging their real-life chemistry to create a believable, flawed couple. Brie’s Millie is Type-A, supportive yet exasperated, her warmth giving way to frustration as Tim’s clinginess intensifies. Franco’s Tim is a complex mix of charm, anxiety, and vulnerability, his physical and emotional unraveling both heartbreaking and horrifying. Their ability to navigate humor, tenderness, and terror—often in the same scene—grounds the film’s fantastical elements. A standout sequence in a school bathroom, where a passionate encounter turns agonizing, showcases their physical commitment and the film’s daring tone.Damon Herriman, as Jamie, Millie’s coworker and neighbor, adds depth with an uneasy sweetness, his cryptic references to Plato’s Symposium hinting at the film’s mythological undertones. The supporting cast, including Mia Morrissey and Karl Richmond, enhances the eerie atmosphere, though their roles are underdeveloped. The performances elevate the film, making the horror feel deeply personal.A Bold Blend of Horror and RomanceMichael Shanks, in his feature debut, crafts a narrative that’s equal parts Cronenbergian body horror and poignant relationship drama. Drawing from his own 15-year marriage, Shanks uses practical effects—oozing prosthetics, contorting limbs—to depict the couple’s merging bodies, evoking classics like The Fly and Society. The film’s visual effects, particularly the skin-crawling scenes of flesh fusing, are both gruesome and mesmerizing, though some CGI-heavy moments, like the bone-crunching finale, lack the tactile impact of earlier practical effects.Thematically, Together is unabashedly direct. It explores codependency as a literal and metaphorical force, questioning whether love requires sacrificing one’s identity or embracing a shared existence. The cave’s supernatural pull mirrors the couple’s struggle to balance intimacy and autonomy, a tension many in long-term relationships will recognize. Subtle humor, like Millie’s quip about a reciprocating saw, and a cheeky Spice Girls needle drop, keeps the tone from becoming overly grim. However, the film’s overt symbolism—characters quoting Plato for thematic clarity—can feel heavy-handed, and its mythology about the cave’s origins remains vague, leading to plot holes that nag upon reflection.Strengths and StumblesTogether shines in its emotional authenticity. The early scenes, depicting the couple’s strained dynamic, resonate with anyone who’s navigated the ebb and flow of a long-term partnership. The horror amplifies these stakes, turning relatable anxieties into grotesque spectacles. A sequence where Tim’s body contorts to reach Millie, accompanied by bone-cracking sound design, is both disturbing and oddly romantic, encapsulating the film’s unique tone. The cinematography by Germain McMicking, with its haunting contrast of lush forests and claustrophobic interiors, enhances the sense of entrapment.Yet, the film isn’t without flaws. Its 102-minute runtime feels stretched in the first act, where the couple’s tensions are established at a leisurely pace. The narrative’s simplicity, while effective, leaves little room for surprises, and the climax prioritizes a shocking visual over psychological depth, undermining the film’s earlier nuance. Some social media posts reflect this sentiment, with users praising the film’s uniqueness but criticizing its lackluster ending and slow pacing. Others, however, laud its humor and emotional resonance, suggesting it’s a polarizing experience.A Reflection on Love’s HorrorsTogether is less about jump scares—there are none—and more about the quiet terrors of losing oneself in a relationship. It challenges viewers to confront the “monstrous” aspects of intimacy, where love can feel like both a lifeline and a cage. The film’s boldest move is its refusal to vilify codependency outright; instead, it suggests that embracing interdependence can be beautiful, even if messy. This nuanced take, paired with its grotesque imagery, makes it a standout, though it doesn’t reach the heights of 2024’s The Substance or Titane in terms of visceral impact or narrative cohesion.For horror fans, Together offers enough gnarly moments to satisfy, while its romantic core appeals to those wary of the genre. As Alison Brie noted in a press interview, it’s a “gateway horror” that balances accessibility with intensity, making it a perfect entry point for newcomers. Its $10.8M five-day opening at the domestic box office reflects its buzz, amplified by Neon’s savvy marketing.Final Verdict: 4/5 StarsTogether is a fiendishly fun, occasionally frustrating exploration of love’s darker edges. Alison Brie and Dave Franco’s electric performances, coupled with Michael Shanks’ wicked vision, make it a memorable addition to the body horror canon. While its pacing and narrative gaps prevent it from being a masterpiece, its blend of humor, heart, and horror ensures it lingers long after the credits. Whether you’re a genre enthusiast or a rom-com lover, Together is a wild ride worth taking—just don’t drink from any mysterious pools.
