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.
A smart, subtle, and strangely emotional entry in the body horror genre
Movie title: Together (2025)
Movie description: Years into their relationship, Tim and Millie find themselves at a crossroads as they move to the country. With tensions already flaring, an encounter with an unnatural force threatens to corrupt their lives, their love and their flesh.
Date published: August 17, 2025
Country: UK
Duration: 1h 42
Director(s): Michael Shanks
Actor(s): Dave Franco, Alison Brie, Damon Herriman
Genre: Body Horror, Horror, Romance
Summary
Together is a smart, subtle, and strangely emotional entry in the body horror genre. Definitely worth seeing on the big screen.
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
