New Trailers: Together (2025) by Michael Shanks

Together (2025) by Michael Shanks: A Terrifying Look at Codependency

Australian filmmaker Michael Shanks makes his directorial debut with Together, a supernatural body horror film that dissects the unsettling realities of codependency through a grotesque and darkly comedic lens. Starring real-life married couple Alison Brie and Dave Franco, the film premiered in the Midnight section of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, quickly becoming a buzzy title that was acquired by Neon for a significant sum.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31184028/

Link Review: https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/together-review-james-franco-alison-brie-1236287354/

About movie: https://www.neonrated.com/film/together

Release Date on Streaming

A specific streaming release date for Together has not been announced. It will likely follow its theatrical release window, typical for Neon releases.

Theatrical Release

Together premiered in the Midnight section of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2025.

Its wide US theatrical release is scheduled for July 30, 2025 (some sources cite August 1, 2025). International release dates will follow, varying by territory.

Detailed Summary

Together follows Millie (Alison Brie) and Tim (Dave Franco), a married couple who, after a decade together, find themselves at a critical juncture in their relationship. Their love has become stiflingly codependent, with Tim struggling to find his own identity outside of Millie's orbit, who in turn is focused on her career. In an attempt to rekindle their connection and start fresh, they decide to move from the city to a remote house in the countryside.

However, their rural retreat takes a nightmarish turn when they encounter a mysterious, unnatural force. This ominous entity begins to physically manifest the couple's emotional entanglement, causing horrific and escalating changes in their bodies. What starts as a disturbing, inexplicable stickiness between them rapidly devolves into a gruesome physical bond, forcing them to confront the terrifying reality of how completely intertwined they have become, both metaphorically and literally.

As their bodies become increasingly fused and distorted, Millie and Tim are pushed to their physical and psychological limits. The film masterfully blends psychological horror with visceral body horror, using grotesque transformations and unsettling imagery to explore themes of lost individuality, the consuming nature of extreme codependency, and the blurred lines between love, identity, and the physical self. Amidst the horrifying transformations, the film also weaves in a dark comedic sensibility, offering moments of unsettling humor that highlight the absurdity and agony of their predicament. Together is a unique and unsettling journey into the heart of a relationship pushed beyond its breaking point, forcing the couple to literally fight to maintain their separate selves.

Plot Summary

A long-term married couple, Millie and Tim, move to the countryside to salvage their codependent relationship. However, they encounter a mysterious supernatural force that physically binds them together and horrifically alters their bodies, forcing them to confront the extreme consequences of their unhealthy attachment and fight for their individual identities.

Director's Vision

In his feature directorial debut, Michael Shanks aims to craft a film that serves as both a terrifying horror experience and a profound metaphorical exploration of codependency in a long-term relationship. He leverages the real-life chemistry of Alison Brie and Dave Franco to ground the escalating horrors in a believable and relatable human dynamic. Shanks is not afraid to lean into the grotesque aspects of body horror, using practical effects and CGI to create visceral, unsettling transformations that externalize the internal decay of the couple's unhealthy bond. His vision blends psychological dread with moments of dark comedy, creating a unique tone that critics have compared to films like Fargo and Hereditary. He intends to explore how intimacy can sometimes lead to a loss of self and how the fight for individuality can paradoxically bring a couple back together, even amidst bone-crunching horrors.

Themes

• Codependency and Loss of Self: The central theme, exploring how an unhealthy reliance on a partner can lead to the erosion of individual identity.

• Physical and Emotional Transformation: The literal body horror serves as a potent metaphor for the emotional and psychological changes within a relationship.

• The Nature of Love and Intimacy: Questioning the boundaries of love, commitment, and what it means to truly be "together."

• Isolation and Paranoia: The couple's move to the remote countryside amplifies their internal struggles and fears.

• Dark Humor and Absurdity: Finding comedic moments amidst the terrifying and grotesque, highlighting the absurdity of their situation.

• The Monstrous in the Mundane: Taking a common relationship issue and twisting it into a terrifying, supernatural reality.

Key Success Factors

• Real-Life Couple Chemistry: The casting of Alison Brie and Dave Franco, a married couple, lends authenticity and a unique dynamic to their on-screen relationship, grounding the extreme premise.

• Unique Genre Blend: The film's successful fusion of body horror, psychological thriller, relationship drama, and dark comedy makes it stand out.

• Strong Festival Buzz: Premiering at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival's Midnight section and sparking a competitive bidding war (won by Neon) generated significant anticipation.

• Visceral Special Effects: The effective use of practical and CGI effects to create the disturbing body horror elements contributes significantly to the film's impact.

• Relatable Premise: Despite the fantastical elements, the core themes of relationship struggles and codependency resonate with many viewers.

Cast

• Alison Brie as Millie

• Dave Franco as Tim

• Damon Herriman as Jamie

• Mia Morrissey as Cath

• Karl Richmond as Jordy

• Jack Kenny as Luke

• Francesca Waters as Carol

• Aljin Abella as Doctor Mendoza

Awards and Nominations

Together premiered in the Midnight section of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2025. While it did not receive a competitive award at Sundance, its strong word-of-mouth and the subsequent acquisition by Neon underscore its significant impact and buzz within the festival circuit. It is expected to be eligible for various genre and independent film awards later in 2025 and 2026.

Critics Reception

Critics have largely praised Together for its audacious premise, effective blend of genres, and the committed performances of its lead actors.

• ScreenDaily: Described it as a "horror-comedy that works better the more twisted and stomach-churning it becomes," praising Brie and Franco for diving "headfirst into a physical and emotional maelstrom."

• Screen Rant: Called it a "bonkers body horror that's a bad dream come to life," noting it "examines codependence in a relationship in a way that is unlike anything you've ever seen onscreen." They highlighted Brie and Franco's "unforgettable chemistry."

• IndieWire: Labeled it a "delightfully unhinged spin on the body horror joint."

• Variety: Found it "fun (in a rather bumptious way)" and praised its leads, stating it "works as a totally unhinged yet far from mindless thriller built around a Big Idea."

• Comparisons: Many reviews drew parallels to the work of the Coen Brothers (especially Fargo for its dark comedy and escalating chaos) and modern horror films like Hereditary and Barbarian for its psychological dread and unsettling atmosphere.

Overall Summary of Critics Reception: Critics have enthusiastically received Together, commending Michael Shanks' bold directorial debut for its unique blend of relationship drama, dark comedy, and visceral body horror. The film's success is largely attributed to the compelling chemistry and go-for-broke performances of Alison Brie and Dave Franco, who anchor the escalating madness.

Reviews

Audience reviews for Together have been overwhelmingly positive following its Sundance premiere, contributing significantly to the film's buzz. Viewers lauded its originality, its ability to balance genuine scares and grotesque imagery with humor, and the palpable chemistry between Brie and Franco. Many found the film to be a fresh and unsettling take on relationship struggles, leading to widespread positive word-of-mouth.

Overall Summary of Reviews: Reviews indicate that Together is a highly entertaining and unique horror-comedy that successfully leverages its leads' chemistry and an audacious premise to deliver a memorable and thought-provoking experience for audiences.

Box Office

Together was acquired by Neon for over $10 million following its Sundance premiere, indicating strong industry confidence in its commercial potential. Its theatrical release is scheduled for July 30, 2025 (some sources also state August 1, 2025) in the United States. Actual box office figures are not yet available as it has not had its wide release.

Production

• Director: Michael Shanks

• Writer: Michael Shanks

• Producers: Alison Brie, Dave Franco, Mike Cowap, Andrew Mittman, Erik Feig, Max Silva, Julia Hammer, Tim Headington, Micah Green, Daniel Steinman, Sarah Hong, Emma Fitzsimmons, Laura Waters, Kai Dolbashian, Samie Kim Falvey, Lia Buman, Neil Shah. 

• Cinematography: Germain McMicking

• Editor: Sean Lahiff

• Music by: Cornel Wilczek

• Production Companies: Specific production companies beyond the producers and distributor (Neon) are not widely listed, but it is an independent production.

• Distribution: Neon (United States), various international distributors (to be confirmed based on deals following festival buzz).

• Production Country: United States (primarily, though some sources suggest Australian involvement given Shanks' background).

• Language: English

• Running Time: 102 minutes (1 hour 42 minutes)

• Filming Locations: Not widely publicized, but implies a rural setting.

Sales Companies

• Neon (Acquired US distribution rights)

Distribution Companies

• Neon (United States theatrical distribution)

Why to Recommend This Movie

• Original and Unique: It offers a truly fresh take on both relationship drama and horror, pushing boundaries in both genres.

• Compelling Lead Performances: Alison Brie and Dave Franco deliver committed, physically and emotionally transformative performances, leveraging their real-life chemistry.

• Genre-Bending Excellence: Successfully blends elements of horror, comedy, and relationship drama into a cohesive and impactful film.

• Intense and Unsettling: Provides genuine scares and disturbing body horror, ensuring a memorable and visceral viewing experience.

• Thought-Provoking Themes: Explores the relatable anxieties of codependency and identity within a relationship in a unique and unsettling way.

Why to Watch Movie

• For Fans of Auteur Horror: If you appreciate horror films that are not just about jump scares but explore deeper psychological and social themes.

• To See a Director's Breakout: Witness Michael Shanks' impressive feature directorial debut, showcasing a distinct and bold new voice in cinema.

• If You Like Dark Comedies: For those who enjoy humor that is unsettling, morbid, or finds laughter in uncomfortable situations.

• For Alison Brie and Dave Franco Fans: To see the real-life couple tackle a challenging and unique project that allows them to stretch their acting muscles.

What Movie Trend Film is Following

Together exemplifies the ongoing trend of "Elevated Horror" or "Arthouse Horror," where genre films explore complex psychological and social themes with high artistic merit. It also aligns with the increasing popularity of "Body Horror" and films that use physical transformation as a metaphor for internal states. The casting of a "Real-Life Couple" in lead roles is another notable trend, capitalizing on their existing chemistry.

What Big Social Trend is Following

The film taps into a societal introspection around "Relationship Health and Dynamics," particularly the growing awareness of toxic relationship patterns like codependency and the importance of maintaining individual identity within a partnership. It also resonates with the broader interest in "Existential Dread" and the anxieties of modern life, externalizing these fears through horror.

Final Verdict

Together is a remarkable and unsettling feature debut from Michael Shanks, cementing him as a director to watch. It's a daring and audacious film that ingeniously uses supernatural body horror to dissect the thorny realities of codependency and the struggle for individuality within a relationship. Anchored by the fearless and compelling performances of Alison Brie and Dave Franco, the film is a visceral, darkly humorous, and ultimately thought-provoking experience. For audiences seeking a horror film that is as intelligent as it is terrifying, and as relatable as it is grotesque, Together is an essential and unforgettable watch.

Recommendations for Filmmakers

• Dare to Be Original: Don't be afraid to tackle familiar themes (like relationships) through unconventional and genre-bending approaches.

• Leverage Actor Chemistry: When casting real-life couples or actors with strong existing rapport, utilize that chemistry to deepen the film's emotional core.

• Embrace Metaphor in Horror: Use genre elements (like body horror) not just for shock value, but as powerful allegories for psychological or social issues.

Recommendations for Movie Industry

• Support Bold Debuts: Continue to invest in and champion first-time feature directors who bring unique visions and fresh perspectives to the cinematic landscape.

• Encourage Genre Innovation: Recognize the audience appetite for films that creatively blend genres and push the boundaries of what a horror film, or any genre film, can be.

• Acquire Festival Standouts: Prioritize acquiring films that generate significant buzz at prestigious festivals, as this often indicates artistic merit and potential for audience engagement.