Together

by Mike McGranaghan

Audiences swooned in 1997 when Tom Cruise said “You complete me” to Renee Zellweger in Jerry Maguire. That sentiment doesn’t seem so romantic after laying eyes on Together. This horror movie takes the idea to a disturbing extreme. Even Dr. Heiter, the mad scientist from The Human Centipede, might be discomforted by what transpires here. Get ready for some next-level messed-upedness.

Longtime couple Tim (Dave Franco) and Millie (Alison Brie) move from the city to the country. Tim isn’t totally on board with the idea, putting an additional strain on their already troubled relationship. During a hike in the woods, they get trapped in a cave and end up drinking water from a strange looking pool inside. Never before has the phrase “Don’t drink the water” been so prophetic. In the days following this event, Tim and Millie find their bodies literally trying to fuse together.

Maybe that doesn’t sound so bad to you. The thought of having even more closeness with your partner may hold a certain appeal. Writer/director Michael Shanks will change your mind. He devises a handful of ghastly images guaranteed to leave audiences squirming, squealing, and gasping in revulsion. Aside from the potent visuals, the movie depicts body-fusing as being far more painful than pleasant. A scene set inside a bathroom stall is particularly unnerving. You know how when you watch a video of someone being injured and almost feel their pain in your own body? That sensation comes regularly in Together.

The movie uses its concept to delve into themes related to relationships. For Tim and Millie, the fusion is ironic, since the two are worried they might be growing apart. However, shared bodily trauma offers a rather unique opportunity for collaboration. By trying to jointly solve the problem, they are forced to achieve a harmony that’s been eluding them. It’s really interesting to see how the dynamics between the partners evolve throughout the picture. The story is observant about the sorts of ups and downs that couples endure.

Franco and Brie, who are married in real life, have strong chemistry onscreen. Even when their characters are fighting, we can sense the underlying love. Both actors bring an abundance of emotion to their roles, so that the gruesome scenes maintain a vital human component to match the shocking effects. Events grow especially wild during the final half hour, and the fact that we never lose sight of who these two people are gives the finale an added impact.

Together attempts to incorporate moments of dark humor. Those moments are funny, but they also undercut the horror in spots. When presented with something that elicits serious chills, you don’t necessarily want to have the tension broken too early. You want to savor the terror. On the whole, though, the movie proves very adept at messing with your head by messing with your eyeballs.

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