A body horror film that is also equal parts a love story about a couple on the verge of untethering, ‘Together’ makes full use of the paranormal dramatic situation to amplify the human drama at the center of this film. Screenwriter and director Michael Shanks does not shy away from both themes and goes full-on with the dramatic elements as well as the body horror for an all-around attack on the senses. This film, along with its grotesque imagery and the explosive performances of Alison Brie and Dave Franco makes for a solid horror film in a year of splendid scary movies.
Brie and Franco play Millie and Tim, a couple preparing for a big move. Tim has lost both of his parents, and their passing has left Tim somewhat broken and emotionally distant from Millie. Millie, on the other hand, has accepted a job outside New York, and the couple decided to relocate to the countryside so that Millie can work in her dream environment while giving Tim the change of page he needs.
But Tim is haunted by bad dreams, and the couple are falling apart until one day, while hiking in the woods, they accidentally fall into an underground cavern where a mysterious pool casts a spell on them, causing their bodies to physically merge into one.
As strange things begin to happen, Tim starts acting erratically in ways Millie cannot understand, and their relationship starts to unravel. Yet the mystical nature of the pool keeps forcing them closer to each other, so close that they eventually become one.
The film’s use of dramatic irony creates a level of humour here that keeps the film both entertaining and surprising. While Shanks is keen on using a few jump scares here and there to keep his audiences on their toes, he excels when he puts that camera squarely on the faces of Brie and Franco, allowing them to showcase their acting range – showing us their characters at their most vulnerable, as they try to navigate the complex emotions that are at the core of their relationship issues – and allowing them every bit of physical performance that is required in this genre.
The merging in itself is a visual treat. Millie’s and Tim’s bodies move out of their own volition, moving with a will of its own; and Brie and Franco have to show us how the body literally longs for one thing while the mind says “no.” It’s a whole lot of acting and performance, but also CGI and practical effects to fully execute one of their bodies attempts to merge.
Interestingly enough, the film begins as terrifying and horrific. Frightening imagery and eerie music help build the scary scenes before it happens. But later, as the backstory unfolds and the characters understand what’s going on, what’s interesting is how the characters begin to understand what’s happening, try to find solutions and the film takes a more comic turn. There’s a desperation that sets in that goes counter to the tone of fear and death. That desperation becomes the core of the humour.
Brie has always been a natural comedienne, so it comes off as funny and organic. But she also manages to bring out all of Millies’ insecurities and frailty. Her Millie is the standard broken girl who’d give a million chances to the boyfriend that nobody in her group or circle cares much for. It’s a wonderfully nuanced performance that highlights Brie’s range.
Franco, on the other hand, brings the bravura. He has the less nuanced role. Tim, from the get-go, is suffering from the trauma of having found both his parents dead. It haunts him. It gives him issues with sleeping and connecting with Millie. It is a role that is set to the extremes from off the gate. But fortunately, Franco delivers the necessary intensity.
My only real resistance to the piece is how it still leans into formulaic or predictable story points that undermines its otherwise fresh approach to the genre. It could have been weirder. It could have been more unconventional. As grotesque as it is, the film still feels safe in its presentation. And its ending comes off a little too clean.
My Rating:
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