I’d been looking forward to Together ever since the trailer first dropped. It had that perfect balance of mystery and intrigue without giving away too much, and it instantly shot onto my “must-watch” list. As someone who enjoys the body horror genre, I was curious to see if this film would lean into the grotesque and shocking side of things, or if it would try something different. Thankfully, it’s the latter—and that’s what makes it stand out.
Body horror often gets a reputation for being all about gore and shock value. Films like The Substance really push those boundaries with over-the-top, grotesque imagery. Together, however, plays the game differently. It takes the core of the genre but applies it in a far more subtle, thoughtful way. Instead of focusing on disgust, it explores the emotional and psychological weight of its concept. And honestly, I found that approach much more effective.
At the heart of the story are James Franco and Alison Brie, whose characters are brought together under unusual and fascinating circumstances. Their dynamic is the backbone of the film, and both actors deliver performances that sell the strangeness of the premise while still keeping it grounded. There’s even a small twist tied to one of the characters in the film that recontextualises things in a really satisfying way—it’s not a jaw-dropping shock, but it’s clever and adds depth.
From a technical standpoint, the film is impressively polished. The merging effect between the two characters looks seamless, and what I appreciated most is that it isn’t gory. You don’t have to look away or miss important moments—it’s strangely elegant, almost mesmerising to watch. Pair that with a moody, atmospheric soundtrack that enhances tension without overpowering the scenes, and you get a film that feels immersive from start to finish.
Writer-director Michael Shanks also deserves credit for weaving in just the right amount of humour. There are little touches of levity throughout, which prevent the film from feeling overly heavy. It’s a delicate balance, but it works, keeping the audience engaged without breaking the tension.
If you’re expecting jump scares, this isn’t that kind of movie. But what it lacks in cheap thrills, it makes up for with atmosphere, performances, and a creative spin on body horror. It’s more unsettling than terrifying, more thoughtful than shocking—and that’s what makes it worth experiencing.