"Twisted Love" Offers a Body Horror Tale Worth Watching

A Unique Approach to Relationship Dynamics

A body horror film may not sound like the perfect date movie, but Michael Shanks' directorial debut, Together, might just make couples appreciate their own relationships. It explores the struggles couples face, but rather than focusing on the negatives, it may leave audiences with a deeper appreciation for their own partners. Instead of tackling these issues with hard-hitting drama, the film masterfully uses horror movie tropes to present themes in an enjoyable way, which makes some of its commentary more accessible and less preachy.

The film knows it's a supernatural body horror movie at heart, but its commentary on modern romance still hits a nerve, one that might have you holding your partner a bit tighter by the time the credits roll. Real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie portray Tim and Millie Wilson, a couple who have a deep love for each other, but it has been lost in the shuffle of stunted dreams and comfort that has become safe and easy.

Millie has received a teaching job that moves the couple to the countryside, while Tim, an aspiring musician, seems stuck tagging along as Millie pursues her dreams. At their going-away party, in front of a slew of friends, Millie proposes to Tim, but he hesitates, signaling the first sign of Tim's fear of truly committing. Following their move, the couple encounters a supernatural force that brings their bodies together in true body horror fashion, and now, the pair, who have become distant, find themselves more linked than ever before.

The Importance of Communication in a Relationship

Communication is key, and harboring resentment can lead to a plethora of problems, as seen by Tim and Millie's situation in Together. The couple has become complacent, with Tim's insecurities and deeply unnerving family issues taking hold of their relationship. Millie is secure in her job as an elementary school teacher and feels she has been taking care of Tim while he pursues music, and this has led to issues because they haven't spoken about Millie having to take on most of the financial strain.

She believes in Tim, but, as a man in his mid-30s, she believes that he should pursue other avenues rather than engage in something that she thinks is more of a hobby. Instead of expressing this to Tim in a positive way, there are moments when she comes off more like a parent and even makes snide comments as her frustration grows. Couples in the audience take notice: it's best to vent these frustrations to your partner rather than letting them fester until you explode.

Tim also shares the blame for their lack of communication. He's moving to the countryside for Millie and feels directionless. His insecurities stem from feeling like he's not enough for Millie anymore, but he doesn't convey that until a big argument arises. Tim is also dealing with trauma that has to do with his parents, which explains his fear of committing to Millie. The film reveals that Tim's mother became so consumed by her codependency with his father that it eventually led to a mental breakdown, and what he experienced has haunted him ever since.

It's perceived that most men have a problem expressing their emotions, but seeing Tim as an example might make any man watching see the negative side effects of bottling things up. It can not only drive your partner away but also negatively affect your mental health. The issue has taken control of Tim so much that he has found it difficult to even be intimate with Millie, creating another bone of contention.

These challenges and fears are prevalent in any relationship, but Together attacks them in a way that doesn't feel like one big life lesson. Mixed in with the themes of losing oneself in a relationship and becoming codependent out of necessity is a fun, dark sense of humor that adds levity to the narrative, which should make the couples in the audience see the humor in the familiarity of these commonplace relationship problems. If they're going through something similar, Together might spark much-needed conversations, without the hostility that might arise if those issues weren't first reflected through Millie and Tim.

Horror Movies as a Date Night Choice

Horror has always been a top-notch date night option, and it plays even better when the horror speaks to something true. As Millie and Tim have grown distant, a mysterious force is literally bringing them together as their bodies begin to physically merge. At first, it's Tim who is eager to connect with Millie because of this force that is fusing them. Speaking about the true nature of codependence, Tim describes the feeling as an absolute thirst for Millie, which leads to a significant moment where he bails on a music gig because this supernatural draw to be connected to her won't let him go, which leads him to head to her place of work.

Millie doesn't know why Tim is "hungry" for her, but his persistence leads to a bathroom romp at her job that excites her enough to risk her job because, in her own way, she's been thirsty for the partner who has been reluctant to show her affection. It's a clear metaphor: sometimes, couples need to spice things up to keep their relationship alive. Let's just hope their public encounters don't end the way this one does (think of the title of the movie + body horror + anatomy, and you'll get the picture).

Eventually, Millie experiences the same pull towards Tim, one that she initially tries to fight. The force becomes too strong to ignore, and it's telling that the pair doesn't fully begin to merge until she gives into the pull, too. Their bodies become fully drawn to each other towards the climax of the film, and, oddly enough, it's when their communication begins to become stronger. At first, they communicate about how to separate, albeit in a disturbingly graphic way ("If we don't split now, it'll be much harder later"). However, they realize that they both love each other, with Tim finally breaking down his love for Millie and the reasons behind his fear of commitment. Millie also expresses her love for Tim and how much she appreciates his passion and willingness to follow his dreams.

Through the method of some very sticky graphic body horror, Tim and Millie find common ground and determine how to come together in more ways than one. To give away how this is all resolved would ruin the date night surprise. Together might seem like it could expose the cracks in your relationship, but it actually shines a light on everyday frustrations in a fun, approachable way. You might come out of the movie learning the same lessons that Millie and Tim learn, making your relationship stronger in the process, hopefully, without the supernatural body-fusing therapy.

Besides, if Franco and Brie's marriage can make it through filming Together, your relationship will certainly get through a viewing at your local movie theater. Together is in theaters now.