Title – Together (2025)

Director – Michael Shanks (feature debut)

Cast – Dave Franco, Alison Brie, Damon Herriman

Plot – Struggling couple Tim (Franco) and Millie (Brie) find their relationship tested in a whole new set of ways when a mysterious and unnatural occurrence causes them to be drawn together in a dangerous set of ways.  

“Whiskey for the pain!”

Review by Eddie on 03/10/2025

The highest profile Australian film of 2025 that you more than likely didn’t know was in fact Australian, body horror/darkly twisted romantic comedy Together is a memorable debut feature from director Michael Shanks who enlists the support of real life Hollywood couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie to help him deliver a wild and wicked film that’s sure to be enjoyed by viewers willing to go along for the ride.

Creating its fair share of chatter online due to its core concept of Franco and Brie’s troubled couple Tim and Millie getting closer than they perhaps ever envisioned, Together is clearly inspired and derived from genre classics that have come before it, arguably most notably 80’s icon The Fly, but Shanks and his capable support team also bring enough imagination and creativity to the table to ensure that Together feels like its own unhinged beast that for the most part manages to stay the course.

Early on establishing itself with some ominous mood settings and some downright freaky moments of pure terror courtesy mostly of Tim’s unfortunate parents, Together starts to show its true colours around the half-way mark after Tim and Millie come across some misfortunate on an ill-fated afternoon hike and from there things never really let up as Shanks ensures Franco and Brie find themselves willing participants in some unashamedly wild scenarios.

From school toilet shenanigans, hallway pill popping’s and misuses of household tools, Together has a lot going on with some individual scenes likely to be etched into viewers memories for the long haul regardless of whether they want them to be or not and while early on it appears as though Together is going for something a little more po-faced its fairly clear that Shanks and his leading duo want themselves and you to have fun with things which is what the film allows us to do.

Working alongside one another previously in various capacities, Together allows Franco and Brie to have some of the most creative and enjoyable moments of their careers both in a duo sense and individual sense and there’s no deny both of them were all in as they made their way down to Australia to get Together made and while it doesn’t always work out for local productions trying to enlist overseas star power to make their features work, Together is a strong example of what can be achieved by signing up the right people from far afield.

There’s issues with Shanks film such as some fairly underdeveloped concepts and some questionable character actions, while those seeking more scares with their shocks will be disappointed but for the most part Together is a playful and energetic genre entry that’s happy to explore the insane nature of its weird and whacky concept.

Final Say –

Full of eye-popping moments and founded around two great lead turns, Together is a seemingly un-Australian Australian feature that is likely to take off in a major way over the coming months and years as it finds its way into viewers lounge rooms.

3 1/2 King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard t-shirts out of 5