Together (2025) is written & directed by Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco, Alison Brie, Damon Herriman, Mia Morrissey, Karl Richmond, Jack Kenny, Francesca Waters, Aljin Abella, Sarah Lang, Ellora Iris, and Michael Shanks. The film follows Tim (Franco) and Millie (Brie), a committed couple whose relationship sours after moving to a new home far from their friends and family. Starting to work through the strife like they always do, the situation becomes a lot stickier when they discover a mysterious cave deep in the woods and accidentally unleash a mysterious force within. Now, each time they touch, their bodies begin to fuse. However, each time they try to separate, something draws them back together. Refusing to merge and unable to separate, the couple find themselves racing against time to halt the curse before it’s too late.

Franco & Brie (especially Brie) aren’t particularly impressive in serious roles, but the script features a lot of natural relationship-centric humor, which helps justify their casting. Their real-life, years-long romance also adds a great deal of authenticity to their interactions. Their constant arguments feel dead-on, but there’s always a sense they want the best for one another. If characters like these are too incessantly nasty in their treatment of their other half, the idea that they’re still together begins to stretch credulity. 

The film’s allegorical take on codependency is somewhat on the nose, but the script never takes itself too seriously. Instead of diving too deeply into the more serious, psychological side of things, it amplifies common relationship anxieties by placing them in a fucked-up, Lovecraftian, life-and-death context. For example, there’s something hilariously real about two partners having to coddle each other’s insecurities right as they’re about to separate their fusing bodies with an electric saw. 

Michael Shanks fills the film with subtle imagery related to these themes of codependence, but they also work as surface-level storytelling. Even without all the thematic visuals, the film works as a dynamite horror crowd-pleaser. There’s an impressive sense of visual storytelling, but also a fair amount of satisfying dialogue. This all supports the film’s center, which is its memorable body horror elements.

The film features multiple creative and chilling images, supported by either tangible practical effects or intelligently integrated CGI. Thankfully, it never relies solely on these visuals. The script succeeds in creating strong tension while also providing a handful of exciting surprises. It’s one of the most fucked up date night movies I’ve ever seen, and I mean that as a compliment. Its ending is equally satisfying for romance and horror fans alike, and although it’s somewhat predictable, any other outcome would’ve felt like a missed opportunity. 

Overall, this is one of the best horror movies of 2025 so far and easily one of the craziest body-horror experiences I’ve ever encountered. Franco and Brie could be better, but complaining about such committed performances feels nitpicky. It’s fun, scary, well-paced, shocking, and original. Only time will tell if it becomes a classic, but it’s definitely a film no self-respecting horror fan should miss. Committed couples, especially, should find this to be a killer good time. B+