A horror-thriller that will leave you fascinated and frightened – Firstpost

Cast: Dave Franco, Alison Brie, Damon Herriman, Mia Morrissey, Karl Richmond

Director: Michael Shanks

Language: English

Writer and director Michael Stanks’ film Together signifies a lot of things. And so does the title. The lead pair is real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie acting together. And unlike most of the horror thrillers and psychological dramas, this time the central characters land in trouble together. The film takes its own time to come into its own and unleash its madness and mayhem. The start is rather restless and shaky, and we take time to get used to these people’s motivations and conflicts. It’s only after an awkward proposal scene at a party that things in Together come together.

Cliches can be fun to watch if done correctly and this horror-thriller is a good example. A holiday to an unknown destination that involves the luscious jungles and a looming cave. It involves a fruitful night but a rather frightening morning when their legs are stuck together. The word may be used a lot more times by the time the review ends. This is the first glimpse of what the film promises. In any horror or thriller, the maiden jump scare or twist decides if the others in line will land or not. Fortunately, most of them do here. And just like the other monikers in this genre, this film also involves a dive into the past that answers inevitable questions about possessions.

The performances neatly camouflage into the creepy camerawork and cinematography (by Germain McMicking) as opposed to being at odds with them. This is the second sign that the film is heading in the right direction. It also breaks away from the mould of letting women take charge of being possessed. It’s Dave, who beautifully essays his demons as Tim, and experiences a relentless assault on his body, that’s the target of evil. And later, Alison Brie as Millie, joins him (rather literally) too.

Stanks creates a palpable atmosphere of both creep and claustrophobia that one could gasp for breath just as desperately as the protagonists. And the visual effects only add a cherry on the cake. A ghastly and gratifying sexual encounter in a washroom stands out just because of how it culminates. The final twist works more than it doesn’t purely because of the areas it veers into. This is a love story you wish weren’t true. It’s not operatic or obnoxious, but bold and badass. A rare instance when you wish these two maniacs were not together after a point. They survive, not as smoothly as you’d expect. You leave smiling as much as shocked. And that’s always a nice concoction that doesn’t happen too often.

Rating: 3 (out of 5 stars)

Together released in Indian theatres on August 8, 2025