Together Film Review After $10.9M Opening: Codependency Meets Horror with a Side of Body Horror

Yes, Hollywood, give us another rom-com but this time throw in some existential dread and body decay for good measure. Enter “Together”, Neon’s latest indie brainchild. Starring our favorite IRL celebrity couple, Dave Franco and Alison Brie, this film doesn’t so much ask, “What happens when you move to the country?” as it bellows, “What happens when toxic love collides with a very literal unnatural force?” Spoiler alert: It’s not pretty (but it is wildly entertaining).

The Plot (Or Lack of Sanity)

The premise kicks off more like your average millennial “we need to get away from the madness and heal” plot until you’re promptly reminded that peace and quiet always come at a steep price in horror. Franco and Brie play a couple entrenched in an achingly familiar relationship rut (toxic codependence hits differently when it’s this well-acted). Their big idea? Move to the countryside, shed the clutter that capitalism has inflicted on their lives, and lean entirely on one another. One tiny problem… they’ve entered what can only be described as the Lovecraftian Airbnb from Hell. Oh, and there’s body horror. Lots of it.

Chomping Through Expectations

Now, before you roll your eyes at the mention of another horror flick, hold your cynicism. Michael Shanks, in his feature debut, manages to pull off something clever here. “Together” melds romantic drama, cosmic unease, and grossly enjoyable body horror to deliver a slick two-hour subconscious punch. And yes, it seems developed for peak meme-ability (thanks to Insta moments involving actual rats… we’ll get to that).

For all its grotesqueries, “Together” balances eye-popping (sometimes literally) horror with biting commentary on love and the blurred line between care and control. It’s equal parts gut-churning and gut-checking.

Neon’s Marketing Shock Value (Or “How to Sell Body Horror in a Rom-Com Package”)

Who needs standard trailers when you can launch a marketing gimmick? Neon pulled out all stops promoting Together with an Instagram series reframing celebrity PDA (thanks Kylie & Timothée) and free couples therapy offers after screenings. Not impressed? They also promised to pay for people’s Vegas weddings if they proposed anywhere near a theater showing this madness. Neon knows its audience, clearly (read: people who would willingly book therapy after seeing their love lives mirrored in body horror).

And here’s the kicker, social marketing extended beyond traditional horror fans by leaning on Brie/Franco’s relatability. Sure, they’re wealthy celebs, but who hasn’t had “metaphorical decay” define their personal relationships? Okay, maybe without the literal acid bubbling.

Tasting Notes for Horror Fans

Body horror aficionados will appreciate the squishy, squirm-inducing moments reminiscent of classics like The Thing. But here’s the twist, the gore isn’t just there to satisfy your weird cravings for squelching sounds and flesh decay. It’s paired with a script so sharp it feels like the film might be dissecting you. With the Sundance vibes that ensured no festival chair was left predictably unturned, Together defies the sleek expectations of sanitized horror – it both grosses you out and makes your brain work overtime.

Worth the $10 Million Opening?

Commercially, Neon’s investment into premiering “Together” felt risky. Horror undoubtedly makes for a financially sturdy genre, but when paired with an artsy rom-dram-com vibe? It becomes a roll of the 17-million-dollar dice. Yet, as the film’s opening week grossed around $10.9 million at the domestic box office, it’s safe to say the gamble has paid off so far.

Critics and audiences alike are buzzing. Some loved it (awkward dramedy + cosmic horror gets a solid “chef’s kiss”). Others? Not so much (“slow burner” purists with zero patience for existential wig-outs).

Closing Thoughts

“Together” may not please every palate, but find me another film this year that combines cosmic dread and codependency with such audacity? No? Thought so. Kudos to Neon for reminding us why indie horror still hits harder than big-budget sequels. Whether you’re here for the body horror, the rom-com satire, or just to say “hey, at least my love life isn’t quite that toxic,” Together is worth a watch. Just leave your expectations at the door with your emotional baggage. Trust me, it’s lighter that way.