[Review] Together: "I Do"

Last year, The Substance received an Oscar nomination for Best Film, bringing renewed attention to the body horror genre. Together has likely garnered some attention for the same reason. While the trailer and poster might make you think it's a body horror film, after watching it, you might find it feels more like a romance.

From the very beginning, Together revolves around the relationship between the two protagonists, Tim (Dave Franco) and Millie (Alison Brie), as they prepare to face a major change that will test their relationship. Every stage of a couple's journey—from meeting and dating to cohabitating, getting married, starting a family, and growing old together—is different. With each stage, their understanding of each other grows. As they face more challenges together, they might develop a deeper connection and appreciation, but they also risk friction, cracks, and disagreements. This is an inevitable part of love.

In this film, the couple moves to a suburban town to start a new life. This change not only triggers a childhood nightmare for Tim but also gives him a new perspective on their relationship. He moved away from his familiar city life for Millie's new job, making it difficult for him to practice and perform with his band. Without a driver's license, he also depends on Millie to drive him around, making him feel reliant on her and as if he's losing his sense of self. In any relationship, no matter how similar two people's habits, interests, or values are, there will always be differences. Therefore, compromise and mutual adjustment are crucial for maintaining a relationship. The film uses a supernatural plot with body horror elements to literally portray this process of a couple "grinding" away their individual selves until they are ready to say "I do" and officially "stick together."

As a body horror film, it's filled with creative and deliberate horror scenes that are tightly linked to its romantic themes. These terrifying moments stem from the most ordinary aspects of a couple's daily life, but with a horrific twist. Examples include hair in the bed while sleeping together, and the intimacy of kissing and sexual contact. The film even dramatizes the psychological state of a couple so madly in love that their bodies physically resist being apart, compelling them to be constantly near each other. By dramatizing these small, everyday moments, the film transforms them into memorable body horror scenes for the audience.

By the film's end, after the protagonists endure their terrifying ordeal, they finally find a solution. At this point, the movie returns to its romantic theme. The body horror scenes are no longer scary; instead, they become a symbol of romance. However, I found the transition from the horror atmosphere to the humorous and romantic elements to be a bit abrupt. While some viewers might see the film as playful, others might find it a little silly and inconsistent.

Trailer:

Synopsis:

Years into their relationship, Tim and Millie (Dave Franco and Alison Brie) find themselves at a crossroads as they move to the country, abandoning all that is familiar in their lives except each other. With tensions already flaring, a nightmarish encounter with a mysterious, unnatural force threatens to corrupt their lives, their love, and their flesh.

Photo and Source: Elevation Pictures