Stream it for Halloween season.
Ever since last year’s smash surprise hit The Substance rocked theaters and award ceremonies with its artistic photography, well-crafted actors in self-aware roles combined with killer body-horror-gross-out effects, everyone in Hollywood has been eager to jump on the train. I get it: Why not have fun while making a movie? As much as I love horror movies and become eager with excitement when I see a body-horror flick (Let’s face it: It’s a bygone era that only made a comeback because of a self-reflection film made for and by Hollywood): The problem will and always be with the story first. The reason why Frankenhooker is called a “cult film” is because it’s a junk story with insane effects. Re-animator and Bride of Re-animator work exceptionally well because of the jaw-dropping puppetry, over-the-top blood and brilliant story (thank you, H.P. Lovecraft).
I’ve stated numerous times: In order for a movie to work there needs to be a good story first. Would The Substance work if it weren’t for the ending? Yes, absolutely. It’s a timeless story that explores the ideology of days gone by and everyone’s dream when they get older that “If I could go back for one day … “
This is where Together and a lot of the new wave of “body horror” films get it wrong. Everyone loves the glam of the gore, they just don’t know what’s in a story. Yes, I know I’m somewhat contradicting my point earlier, but when 80’s directors build a name for themselves by making schlock, I’m not expecting Shakespeare. Together is arguably the most anticipated horror film of the summer (aside from the disastrous I Know What You Did Last Summer) and it’s not as good as I had hoped. The trailer promised us some great gags, good actors and a decent story which is all the earmarks of everything I love. What more could a Frank Henelotter fan want?
Tim (Dave Franco) and Millie (Alison Brie) move from the big city to the small countryside to follow Millie’s career of teaching children and making an actual difference. She’s smart, funny and still very young. Tim is a musician and, for argument’s sake, is a bumbling mid 30’s child. Haunted by his fear of failure and Millie coming to terms that he needs her more than she needs him, the two explore their new home turf with a wonderful walk in the woods. After noticing strange “cult vibe” bells hung in the trees, the rain soon hits and attempting to seek shelter leads the duo to fall into a hole in the ground which seems to look like a sunken church.
Alison Brie (L) and Dave Franco (R) in Together
In the morning, Tim and Millie find they are lightly stuck together. Assuming it must be mildew or mold they pull themselves apart, escape rather easily and Millie goes to her first day teaching. While attempting to fit in she meets the charming and harmless Jamie (Damon Herriman), who appears to be their neighbor. After a light hearted convo about which teachers to avoid, he asks Millie if she and Tim have been exploring the area because there are beautiful trails everywhere. Millie says they have, which Jamie thinks is good, very good heh heh …
Tim gets a gig back in the city and while arguing over how Tim is not a breadwinner, Jamie stops by to say hello. A few glasses of wine later, Jamie explains the bells in the trees and how the area used to be run by a “hippy dippy” church who worshipped the ideology of Plato’s Symposium. Because, when you’re talking about body horror, your movie has to have a point to it. Jamie explains, according to Greek Mythology, humans were originally four armed, four legged and two faced beings. Zeus, fearing the power of these creatures, split them into two, resulting in how humans look today. That is why humans are always searching for their “other half”. In a way, this is why marriage was created: We, as individuals, have found that other piece that makes us complete.
Millie (Brie) and Tim (Franco) are happy Together
What happens in the rest of the movie? Well, a few jump scares, laughs and fun cinematography sell it. The story is very bland and all the good parts were in the trailer. As far as that intense moment involving the reciprocator saw? Well … it’s more of a comedy bit. Whiskey shot, fire up the saw and complete. Jamie makes a great side character, but what are his motivations? Without spoiling it, he’s set up as a pawn for a higher power, only to be shoved to the side when the story doesn’t know why he’s there to begin with.
Together starts off in a strong dark drama with horror elements. We open on a drab serious tone showcasing two dogs that become violently pulled together. This scene plays later but no reason to dwell on that: Writer/director Michael Shanks didn’t. Then it moves to a romantic comedy, playfully exploring Tim’s love for Millie as he buys Spice Girls’ “Spice World” on vinyl after she says that’s her favorite band. Then moves to horror comedy which ends underwhelming. If you’ve seen the trailer, then you’re aware that two become one (the Spice Girls playing), but not in a way that would gross out. Shanks wants to go off the deep end, but he’s afraid to get his feet wet.
Tim (Dave Franco) is not having a good day.
Some of that fear may have to do with Together starting out in controversy shortly after its first trailer drop in March of this year. A few months later, in May Shanks, Franco, Brie and distributor Neon got themselves into a $17 million copyright lawsuit over claims from Patrick Henry Phelan, the writer/director of Better Half, a 2023 comedy in which the main characters are fused together after having sex. Shanks’ copyright is in 2019, and although that scene does happen in Together, it’s not the basis of the film. However Phelan claims he was unaware of Together as a script and rejected the notion he had read it prior to making his film. Think of the lawsuit with Vanilla Ice and Freddie Mercury over the David Bowie and Queen song “Under Pressure” and Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby.” It’s the same, but not. The court wound up siding with Ice on that one, while Phelan’s hasn’t been determined. It appears Neon is trying their hardest to make sure no one sees Better Half as it is nearly impossible to find anywhere (even on illegal sites, according to Reddit posts). As of the writing of this review, if you Google the plot of Better Half, Together comes up.
Horror and arthouse have really taken the stage in the last decade, starting with The Babadook in 2012, in my opinion. Most people want to have a fun scare, but adding that element of sophistication is the pinky in the air while sipping tea. “Oh, I’ve seen The Lighthouse, but have you seen The Eyes of My Mother? It’s like The 400 Blows of modern horror cinema,” and other conversations alike. With Together, the movie wants to be much more over-the-top, but taken seriously. The ending is romantic but horrific and funny but the elements come off directionless and careless, ultimately leading to a slap job of a film.
Together is now playing in cinemas
Written and Directed by Michael Shanks
Stars: Alison Brie, Dave Franco and Damon Herriman
Genre: Horror
Rated R
Runtime: 102 mins
Classic American Movies 
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