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In Together, we gain insight into the sex lives of real-life couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie—and are treated to a terrifyingly grotesque depiction of co-dependence and twisted dedication.
Not particularly scary but nonetheless wickedly satisfying, Together follows two individuals who move to a new town, drink from a very creepy-looking watering hole in a very creepy-looking cave, and soon begin to merge together. Literally.
The movie entails multiple depictions of this unfortunate and attractive couple repeatedly separating themselves in increasingly disturbing ways, notably after a penetrative sex scene where things really do start to take a turn for the worse.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I finally got around to watching this horror-thriller, which got lost amongst other, bigger horror movies (it came out around the time of Weapons). Was it an indie vanity project? A throwaway body horror flick? Something more drama than “real horror?”
Together, thankfully, is none of those. A legit body horror flick that is as entertaining as it is gory, the movie boasts strong dramatic performances from its two leads—their off screen chemistry translates well, with both Franco and Brie playing off each other in powerful, emotional ways—and a straightforward yet messed up story. With great visual effects to complete the vision, Together has a lot going for it.
The journey is more rewarding than the destination, though perhaps Together ends the only way it should (or can). The climax fits the story well, and writer/director Michael Shanks brings his creation to life in blissfully depraved ways.
Together is the real deal, a perfect union of horror meets quality filmmaking.
Review by Erik Samdahl. Erik is a marketing and technology executive by day, avid movie lover by night. He is a member of the Seattle Film Critics Society.