Together

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https://kismetmovies.com/releases/together

Date Reviewed: 02/08/2025

As a lover of horror, I must say that Together is a solid entry into the horror films of 2025, delivering both squeamish and uncomfortable moments as well as genuine character work. As this was director Michael Shanks’ debut, I went in with low expectations but was pleasantly surprised at the overall quality of the film.

The narrative retains a simple yet metaphorical interpretation of the nature of romantic relationships. The story is on the simpler side, but it uses that to its advantage to make the overall narrative very compelling and entertaining. It is a bit weak at the very beginning, but it rises to the occasion when the supernatural elements come into play. The two titular characters, Millie and Tim, are a couple who have taken the next step in their relationship by moving to the countryside. Both characters are very grounded and realistic, and the movie takes its time to explore their relationship in a very nuanced way. It's very rare to see a genuine relationship in fiction, especially since both Millie and Tim are inherently good-hearted people trying to come to terms with the changes in their lives, especially with the supernatural elements coming into play. 

Dave Franco as Tim was the definite standout as the emotional core of the narrative. His portrayal is so genuine and heartbreaking, being torn between wanting more in life and his relationship with his partner. Alison Brie as Millie, while I think it could have been explored a bit better, is still as interesting a character as her co-star. But ultimately, she still brings a lot to the table with both moments of vulnerability and guilt, to true emotional strength in confronting her fears and worries. Michael Shanks has a solid understanding of his craft and takes a lot of inspiration from his own life, with how genuine the character dynamics are. 

The cinematography is, for lack of a better word, artistic. It takes a lot of creative liberties with camerawork, often setting up beautiful shots establishing very key moments, often setting a solid tone of dread. I could feel myself being lured in with the most creative of shots. My only complaint about the cinematography would be how it transitions from time to time. As stated, the camerawork is very beautiful when trying to establish the scene. However, a lot of the film is still normalised camerawork when it comes to conversations and exposition. It isn’t a flaw of the film, but it can be very jarring when transitioning from creative visual shots to two people talking, then back to more creative shots.

Now, the most important part of any horror movie. The Horror elements. Together is primarily body horror, with a significant portion of it being vital to the film's allegory. I found it very uncomfortable at times, as I am very squirmish; however, that was the goal of the movie. It's tense, it's creative, and most importantly, very aesthetically creepy. There are some portions, however, where it forgoes its allegory and goes full horror spectacle, but I think it still ultimately serves its purpose.  

 Overall, Michael Shanks’ Together is a solid entry into this year's horror films, being nearly flawless in its execution. It’s an entertaining watch with solid character work and a genuinely honest portrayal of a relationship, free from over-the-top drama. I highly recommend giving this film a watch.

Reviewed by Joel Yap.