Together Film Review: Co-Dependency Can Kill

Together manages to capture the absurdity and anxiety of relationship co-dependency through off-putting body horror, sparking a dark sense of humor.

While that sounds romantic from a certain point of view, it also raises the question of co-dependency. Simple life activities, driving to the grocery store or meeting friends for lunch, are no longer something you can do by yourself; they turn into a team effort. You become so used to doing everything together that the moment you want to try things on your own, in professional or personal endeavors, you don’t have the freedom to just do it. Instead, a conversation where both parties’ needs must be satisfied has to take place before moving forward.

So, is it healthy to stay in a relationship where you might feel trapped despite yearning to have somebody to share life with, or is it part of the deal to feel confined over time? Together explores many of these mixed feelings by putting our leads through the ringer, seeking to find an answer to what loving somebody really means.

In an effort to demonstrate their commitment to their years-long relationship, Tim (Dave Franco, The Studio) and Millie (Alison Brie, Somebody I Used to Know) abandon everything in the city in favor of the countryside. What was originally set to be a new beginning soon proves to be a nightmare as they find themselves lost inside a mysterious cave. There, they encounter an unnatural force threatening to corrupt their lives, love, and flesh.

Writer-director Shanks opens the film with a set piece that functions as a tonal misdirect. It is dark and eerie, introducing a serious tone that the movie occasionally revisits but never fully embraces again. While this can be interpreted as a negative, it is quite the opposite. The sequence sets up three things that later become pivotal in Together: the cave with unnatural forces, the body horror aspect of the film, and the primal nature of all living things to rely on one another. All of this is contextualized visually with little to no dialogue through the perspective of search dogs. By allowing the audience to take in the unnatural force residing in the cave before our leads, it creates a sense of anticipation and dread that perhaps would’ve still been present, but not with the same intensity.

From here, Together takes its time to establish the calm before the storm, though calm might be a stretch. With the help of Brie and Franco’s charisma and natural chemistry as a real-life couple, we’re quickly endeared to their union. There is a clear love between the two that feels like a high school romance, both for the relationship’s benefit and detriment. On one hand, their commitment to each other shows signs of growth, but the lack of actual communication undercuts it and highlights the cracks in their relationship that come across as childish. It is thanks to these cracks that the film’s humor shines through. Moments of public affection that should be sweet turn awkward; that can only be eased with a laugh.

Tim behaves like an indecisive teen trying to figure out what he wants out of life, while unable to operate as an adult without Millie’s help. There is a selfishness and ungratefulness in how he treats his partner. From making her feel unwanted, emotionally and sexually, to taking out his guilt and trauma on her, Tim could easily be perceived as toxic. It is Franco’s performance that, despite his evident flaws, humanizes Tim. He’s a man who is constantly making bad choices and sabotaging a great thing he’s got with Millie, but he’s not ruining it out of malice. Not only is his lack of success in the music industry eating him alive, but losing his parents in traumatic ways has utterly broken him from the inside out. Despite these characteristics, he does make an effort to collect himself for Millie, even if he fails at every attempt.

Millie, having a much better idea of what she wants from life, ain’t perfect either. It is rather obvious that Tim’s severe issues are psychological, and though she seems supportive, there is a sense that they are an inconvenience to the lifestyle she wishes she had. As the film develops its body horror plot, with Tim at the center of it, Millie continues to ignore his cries for help until the same thing starts happening to her. This could be interpreted as part of the genre’s tropes, but I believe it’s commenting on relationships deteriorating due to a conflict of interests. Although Millie’s way of handling Tim can make one raise an eyebrow, you can’t help but also feel for a woman who is more of a mother to their significant other than an actual partner.

Once things take a dark turn and Tim begins to experience changes in his body and mind, Shanks’ sensibilities shine. Due to exposing himself to the drinking water from the cave, anytime Tim is in contact with Millie long enough, the couple starts morphing into one. Shanks’ use of body horror tends to be more humorous than initially expected, though there is a fascinating read on this concept beyond the laughs it gets from the audience. Given the setup of a relationship falling apart, couples often make the mistake of having children as if that will solve all their problems, when in reality, it will only create more. Whether intentional or not, this involuntary transformation between the two is rich with allegories, with the possibility of giving life to a creature containing both of their genes, which only enhances the overall themes of a broken relationship.

As for the set pieces, for a film that’s been described as this year’s The Substance, they’re gnarly, though they are never pushed to the extreme. One does stand out amongst the rest, taking place in an elementary school restroom. It is the perfect example of Together using body horror as a way to deliver laughs. This sequence also showcases the beautiful blend of VFX and special effects. Arlo Markantonatos’ practical work does a lot to sell the nightmare in which Tim and Millie find themselves. When CGI takes over to convey the impossible, it’s rather impressive considering the relatively low budget.

Sean Lahiff’s editing goes through some ups and downs. The decision not to go over the top and make the whole film a bloodbath, going with a slow-burn approach instead, proves to build genuine suspense and intrigue surrounding the supernatural mystery of Together. However, once the film provides answers, it does seem to rush through its explanations.

In addition, it takes Millie way too long to get on the same page as Tim regarding their supernatural predicament, which feels like a wasted opportunity to develop their relationship even further. One moment, they’re on complete opposites of the spectrum, the next, they’re acting like a team again. Although you could argue this is part of the point the film is aiming to make concerning co-dependency. They can’t stay away from one another even when they try. Damon Herriman does a solid job playing Millie’s co-worker Jamie, despite the predictable arc he receives.

Together is sort of the perfect date night flick. It’s got the laughs, scares, and themes that are bound to spark meaningful conversations in terms of love being enough to push through tough times, or if letting go is a less painful option when everything is indicating you’re doing more harm than good by staying together. Michael Shanks’ conclusion to this twisted love story won’t satisfy everyone, but it mostly works thanks to Alison Brie and Dave Franco, who effortlessly elevate what’s on the page with the natural affection and history they share for each other.

Together (2025) will be released globally in theaters on July 30, 2025.