MOVIE REVIEW – “Together”
By Anthony Ferrara
“Together,” the body horror vehicle starring real-life couple Alison Brie and Dave Franco, arrives with a concept as intriguing as it is squirm-inducing: what if the stresses of a failing relationship started to manifest not just psychologically, but physically, and grotesquely? Unfortunately, despite a committed effort from its leads and some genuinely unsettling visuals, the film ultimately buckles under its own weight, landing squarely in the middle of the road with a 5 out of 10.
The premise is undeniably potent. Brie and Franco play Sarah and Mark, a couple whose marriage has reached a breaking point. Instead of therapy, however, their unresolved resentments and growing disconnect begin to take a literally physical toll, transforming their bodies in increasingly bizarre and horrifying ways. This concept immediately offers fertile ground for both psychological drama and visceral terror, and for a while, “Together” teases this potential.
Brie and Franco, drawing on their real-life dynamic, tackle the increasingly grotesque script with admirable commitment. Their initial bickering feels authentic, laying a groundwork of relatable marital fatigue before the more outlandish elements creep in. You believe their exasperation, and later, their escalating horror. There are moments of genuinely effective practical (or convincing CGI) effects that will make even seasoned genre fans wince, showcasing creative and stomach-churning transformations that are the film’s most memorable, if fleeting.
However, this initial promise quickly begins to fray. Pacing is a significant issue; what starts as a slow burn eager to build psychological tension often devolves into sluggishness. The narrative struggles to provide enough substance between the body horror set pieces, leaving long stretches where the characters simply react to their physical decay without much genuine emotional or plot progression. The thematic exploration of marital decay feels skin-deep, masked by escalating anatomical horrors that, while visually striking, lack genuine narrative purpose beyond shock value. The ‘why’ behind the gruesome transformations remains frustratingly vague or, worse, overtly symbolic to the point of cliché, preventing the narrative from truly digging its teeth in.
By the time the climax arrives, the repetitive nature of the ‘discomfort’ has dulled most of its impact, leading to an ending that feels more like a whimper than a scream. It’s an anticlimactic conclusion to a film that had the components for something truly disturbing and thought-provoking, but couldn’t quite assemble them into a cohesive whole.
In the end, “Together” is a frustrating watch. It boasts a fantastic premise, strong central performances, and a few memorable moments of grotesque artistry, but it’s ultimately let down by a script that fails to fully capitalize on its potential, opting for shock over substance and repetition over revelation. It’s a watchable, if forgettable, experience for those craving a fix of the bizarre, but far from essential viewing for body horror aficionados or fans of either Brie or Franco.
I Give This Movie 5 Out of 10 Stars
– Anthony Ferrara
Anthony Ferrara is a Movie and Television Aficionado, Screenwriter, and Independent Movie Producer who hails from the Finger Lakes Region of Upstate New York. The comments in this review are the opinion of Anthony Ferrara and not necessarily those of the Staff and Management of Columbus County News.
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