The Neon studio is giving A24 a run for its horror-movie money.
For those who enjoyed last year’s creepy “The Substance” comes the body-horror/dark romance “Together,” which stars real-life spouses Dave Franco and Alison Brie as the couple going though a turbulent time that becomes a terrifying time.
There are flashes of pitch-black humor throughout Michael Shanks’ film that has codependency at its core. It continually begs the question: Is this couple really in love, or are they just used to each other?
Franco and Brie play Tim and Millie, who are making a big move to the country where Millie has snagged a great job as a teacher. Tim, still in his 30s, is a struggling musician who is waiting for his big break while Millie coordinates most of their life. (In one awkward scene, she tells a new acquaintance she even has to drive, because Tim doesn’t know how.)
They throw a going-away party where Millie asks Tim to marry her. When he hesitates, Millie – along with their group of friends – realizes just how frayed their relationship has become.
With that uncomfortable proposal behind them, they do indeed move to the country, where Millie is greeted by an exuberant colleague.
Eventually, they decide to explore together, and they hike to a cave, where they take shelter from a sudden storm. Even while they’re in the cave, weird things begin to happen: Some kind of gluey substance binds the skin of their legs together so tightly that they’re wounded in the process of splitting apart.
Then, once at home, Tim begins to experience seizure-like episodes. And he is drawn to Millie in a new, overwhelming way.
This is disturbing material, with “Ew!”-inducing visuals. It’s better to go in knowing as little as possible about what transpires.
If you decide to see it at The Last Picture House in Davenport, you’ll get a little bonus: Right before the movie starts, the leads welcome you to Davenport and the theater.
3 ½ stars
Rated: R for foul language, sexual situations and disturbing images.
Running time: One hour and 42 minutes.
In theaters.