TOGETHER – Review by Lynn Venhaus
Taking a relationship to the next level rises to absurd heights in Together, which is noteworthy for writer-director Michael Shanks’ first feature debut showcasing the intuitive skills of actors Dave Franco and Alison Brie.
Shanks takes a stab at the trendy body horror sub-genre with the novel approach of a real-life couple acting out an increasingly disturbing relationship drama as the supernatural story turns dark and sinister.
The Australian director sets up a foreboding premise in the opening scene, where a search party is looking for a missing couple, last seen hiking, that leads the audience to a creepy cave that may have some spooky connection.
Oh, what a tangled web Shanks will weave, as he strings us along with intrigue and enough images to haunt our dreams. Shanks is adept at building believable tension and adding a jump scare or two, and this twisty tale is akin to a monster movie.
Most of all, he benefits from Franco and Brie, who’ve been married for eight years, as the distressed duo whose troublesome descent into gruesome and shocking dysfunction is at the heart of this tall tale. Their chemistry is palpable, and they embrace these physically demanding roles with gusto.
At first, it seems this could be a dandy cautionary tale around a campfire, starting with “Don’t drink the water.” I mean, weren’t we warned about swallowing suspicious standing water — especially if it’s pooled in a remote wooded area?
Ignoring mom’s teachings seems to be a frequent horror trope – and it works here, although suspiciously.
Nevertheless, circumstances lead the couple to that place so their rocky relationship can be terrifyingly tested through bizarre developments. During a storm as they are hiking, they wind up falling into the icky cave and spending the night. Thirsty, they partake of the standing water.
Bad idea? Cue up Cornel Wilczek’s inventive score for skin-crawling dread. After all, he composed the original music for Talk to Me and Bring Her Back.
The pair’s unsettling journey unfolds naturally as live-in lovers Millie and Tim prepare for a move from the city to the country. Millie, a teacher, is ready for a fresh start and has an ideal opportunity for growth at a new school.
Tim, a musician, who has all sorts of commitment phobias anyway, starts chafing under pressure. He’s still pursuing his rock star dream while Millie would prefer him to focus on adulting.
Their going-away party reveals cracks, but they are not ready to give up a life together – although what they each want isn’t necessarily compatible.
A kind teacher, Jamie, takes Millie under his wing to guide her in the new place. Damon Herriman is a strong addition to the story.
This unnatural force will take over their lives, pushing them towards each other even when they want to pull apart. An exaggerated codependency-focused story has nods to director David Cronenberg’s views askew.
Shanks, whose visual effects expertise is a plus, gets gruesome with prosthetics during an explicit sex scene. (Rated R for violent/disturbing content, sexual content, graphic nudity, language and brief drug content.) He also goes into uncharted territory that gives new meaning to the word “together.”
The grotesque reveal is a gasp-inducer. But you are watching a specific type of horror film, so why should anyone be surprised?
The narrative had me hooked, but then in the final act, lost me because of questionable logic. Although I tend to overthink any horror film’s structure, the source of the film’s intensity isn’t as solid as it should have been by the finale at 1:42 runtime.
Still, as contemporary yarns go, Together will have you re-thinking your views on intimacy, especially if you have your eyes closed.
