Together

A simple love story about a couple who try they best to stick together….

One of the quotes on the released trailer suggests that TOGETHER is the perfect “date movie” – how? I’ve got not idea as if anything once the final credits roll, you’ll probably wish you were single.

Also, it’s the best advert for a “No Sex” relationship as it offers the most groin inducing look away sex scene I’ve seen in a horror movie for a long time.  You’ll grimace with pain but also chuckle at the dark humour but no doubt if you are watching while on a date, the last thing the both of you’ll want is a bit of kiss and cuddles once the final credits roll.

Alison Bre and James Franco (a real-life couple) play Millie and Tim, who, despite a love between them, are struggling to find a way in their long-term relationship that is beginning to show cracks for which excuse the pun, Millie in particular is trying to seal and bond.

A move away from friends and family to a house in the woods is always a big no-no in any horror movie, but wisdom goes out of the window as they pack their belongings and head off to a fresh start in hope to reconcile and start to heal, especially their sex life which has become non existent over recent months.

An embarrassing marriage proposal before their move adds more tension, and as Mille settles into her new surroundings as a teacher in the local school, Tim struggles, still trying to achieve his dream of being a successful musician, a career choice that hasn’t gone anywhere for the last few years.

An ominous warning has already been established once the film begins, in which we see two dogs acting bizarrely after drinking some water from a local spot, while hunting for two hikers who have vanished without trace.

It’s when the couple decides to go for a hike around that same surrounding area that things take a twisted turn. Strangely marked brass bells should be more than enough to sound a warning, but when Tim falls down into a strange underground pit, dragging Millie with him during a torrential pourdown, their relationship takes a dark disturbing turn.

It’s here, TOGETHER sparkles with a macrabe sense of humour and twisted horror that many will cherish.  The deep-rooted message of relationships is also hard to ignore as it is so cleverly done.  Once, where Tim wanted space from Millie, he now has this urge to be as close to her as humanly possible, his feelings and urges completely changing after the pit incident.

Millie, at first, is confused with the sudden change but embraces the feeling of being wanted again until, of course, she too starts to suffer from the same desperate need to touch Tim, a craving that ends up turning into a horrific ordeal for them both.

There are some startling scenes where horror fans will smile with horrid.  A hair in the mouth moment, that damn sex scene, and also, of course, that earlier warning of when Tim finds his dad’s electric saw, which will obviously come into use as their need to bond gathers apace.

It’s expertly directed and written by Michael Shanks, who blends the film with both horror and humour that had many on my watch laughing while covering their eyes and shuddering with what’s on the screen. 

If anything, it’s the need of trying to explain what is happening that drags the film down a little bit towards the end, but the climatic showdown where it offers body horror at its finest,  while stating the ultimate commitment will leave you repulsed and then laughing once more at the ridiculous final shot that will either work for you or not.

One thing is for sure, TOGETHER is a staggering good time at the movies, even if you may end up feeling the need to be single and free from any clingy relationships once those final credits rolls and if you’re a Spice Girl fan, trust me – one of their iconic songs will forever be ruined for you….

Zigazig ah…..