Neon is back at it again with Together, a fresh entry into the horror genre that dares to push boundaries with something emotionally raw, visually unsettling, and deeply metaphorical. Directed and written by first-time feature filmmaker Michael Shanks, the movie stars real-life couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie, who bring an eerie authenticity to their roles as a couple spiraling into something far beyond human.
Together follows Tim and Millie, a long-term couple relocating to the countryside for her new job, while he’s still stuck chasing a music career that never quite took off. From the jump, their relationship is cracking—resentment, stagnation, lack of intimacy—all simmering under the surface. But when a hike leads them into a mysterious cave, things take a literal turn: they begin to physically merge in a grotesque body horror transformation that mirrors their emotional entanglement.
The film is, at its core, a potent allegory about codependency and identity loss in relationships. There’s something really powerful here—watching two people become so enmeshed that their very sense of self disappears. Franco and Brie’s real-life chemistry (and occasional tension) adds to the rawness, and it’s clear they pulled from personal experience to make the emotional beats land harder.
Technically, the film shines. Shanks shows off real visual flair with claustrophobic cinematography and deeply unsettling sound design that hits even harder in a theater setting. It’s not traditionally “scary,” but Together doesn’t need to be. Instead, it’s unnerving, strange, and oddly beautiful in how it dissects the uglier parts of love.
Now, here’s where the mileage may vary: the ending. Without getting into spoilers, I’ll say it’s bold, a little messy, and definitely divisive. My theater had a mixed bag of reactions—some were laughing, others baffled, and a few, like me, just unsure how to feel. There’s also a paranormal cult subplot that helps explain the transformation but doesn’t get enough room to breathe. It adds intrigue, sure, but ends up feeling a little undercooked.
Still, despite the shakiness of the final moments, Together is a strong debut and one of the most unique horror films I’ve seen in a while. It’s ambitious, thematically rich, and has something real to say—especially for anyone who’s ever been in a toxic relationship or felt themselves disappearing into one.
If you’re a fan of body horror, or just in the mood for a film that dares to be different, Together is worth your time. It may not be perfect, but it’s an experience—and in horror, that often counts for more.
Rating: 8/10.