REVIEW: TOGETHER

4/5

'Til Death Do Us Part

102 Mins. Starring: Dave Franco, Alison Brie & Damon Herriman. Screenplay: Michael Shanks. Director: Michael Shanks. In: Theatres.

Scared of commitment? Then spending time with 'Together' will make your skin crawl. When Dave Franco ('21 Jump Street', 'Now You See Me', 'Night Shift') and Alison Brie ('GLOW', 'Scream 4', 'Promising Young Woman') wed, they became one of Hollywood's best young talent power couples. Now, for better or worse, they star together in Michael Shanks' (also serving as screenwriter) directorial debut. Joining hands in matrimony with a mysterious force for a body-horror, labour of love that strikes anxiety inducing themes of codependecy right at your nervous system. Now, that's a sticky situation to be in. Like falling through a forest into a cave surrounded by ominous bells with no phone service. Just whistles. So sweaty, you almost might not be able to come apart like held hands after a first date with sparks. But that's not mildew and that odor in your new home ain't mould. Do you smell a rat yet? Because the foreboding signs are everywhere, together.

Wannabe a betting man or woman when I say you'll be haunted by a Spice Girls single off their first album...and not because it's on vinyl? Coming a little closer and setting their spirits free, Brie and Franco have never been better. Not even in their first project together, 'The Rental' of Dave's directorial debut, to be frank. It's Shanks turn to get behind the camera and chair for his opening act, however. The 'Off The Air', 'The Wizard Of Aus', and 'The Slot' small-screen wonder could be the next Ari Aster, after this movie, if he keeps it together like this. Just like the indie film production and distributing company NEON, could be the bright new, electric start-up like A24, in all-caps. Especially if they keep making love stories like this and last year's 'Love Lies Bleeding' (also co-starring Franco). Out in the countryside this supernatural hit should scoop all the indie awards, darlings. Who knew a body horror could be so beautiful? Spiritual, not sensual. You'll more than shudder at the sex scene. This is the best explicit look of love since Japan's 'Romance Doll'. Don't be put off by the packaging.

Straining the skin and getting under it like Scarlett, this film will stay with you, to your core. All the way to a conclusion as satisyfing as the one of a wedded Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch as 'The Roses'. Oddly the two movies, both available to watch in Japan to begin this year, sharing similair themes of love and marriage. But no matter what Cumberbatch and Colman throw at each other from the kitchen, instead of roses, you'll be scare absolute straight here by the things that go LOOK in the night. With 'Weapons' grade unnerving disposition. It really is the era for new horrors, and this one will have you choking on the hair you hide behind (I wish) as your skin will feel worse than what you couldn't watch with '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple'. Brie's brilliant, but at times blind English teacher (they say love is) and Franco's lovesick, but stunted, wannabe musician without a driving license (um) called Tim (erm), act out all of love's twist and turns on one so bright it could burn you. Where no one, and everyone, is to blame. And what of a great Damon Herriman's ('The Bikeriders') concerned neighbour and teacher? I mean, this is a guy that played Charles Manson twice ('Once Upon A Time...In Hollywood', 'Mindhunter'). Contorting and fusing together like a rat-king, this eros in symposium will make purists and Plato proud. The origin and nature of together, forever. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Send Help', 'The Substance', 'Club Zero'.