Film Review : " Together"

Much like "The Human Centipede,"; the premise of this movie is more horrifying than what happens on screen. Horror is often a dark mirror reflection of what is going on in society, so it's clear that the rise in body horror has to do with questions of identity. In this movie sense of identity in relationships. This creates a relatable and very grounding premise that does not offer a great deal of "don't go in the basement" moments. In some ways, it's like "the Substance" and in others, John Carpenter's take on "the Thing". Mainly practical effects help this movie, which stars Allison Brie.  

There is also a Lovecraftian theme to the story. A curse of a cult whose chapel sinks under the earth to create monsters. This helps them avoid several tropes, but it could have been something Stuart Gordon might have made, and that is a good thing. The antagonist is passive aggressive until they become known. Though there is no clear resolution with this character or really anyone, leaving you to think this might be a trans-allied film. But it is more complex than that. It's the horrors of this undead relationship that set the tone for something as skin-crawling as the morphing bodies shifting on screen.

In my mind I kept waiting for something more gruesome, and I think the restraint they should which was not shown by the ned of 'The Substance," makes it a more entertaining film, though not as visually stunning as that movie. They do not shy from the special effects, but they go easy on the gore, making the tension of violence work for them. I really enjoyed this movie and recommend it to horror fans that are looking for something different. 

Film Review- "'The Substance"

 There is a lot to like about this movie. It is tense, as the characters fall down their spirals in what would be a tragic manner if it was not driven by the ego-driven madness that is Hollywood. Things take a turn for the aging fitness icon, so she turns to a shadow corporation to make her young again. This is where the twist in the film is as it goes in a more Jekyll and Hyde direction, though Hyde is not a distorted monster version of herself but a younger hotter one. It is sadly being hailed by some as a feminist masterpiece when it is about narcissism taken to gruesome extremes. 

Being famous is a choice, and rather than being thankful she made it to where she did Moore's character shows where self-obsession will take you and how Hollywood is the perfect echo chamber to bring it to a boil. The cinematography is pretty breath taking, its artfully delicious, with vibrant colors paying homage to Stanely Kubrick. Hyde is not the only classic monster it gives a wink at as John Carpenter's Thing, can be seen in the way the body horror goes to twisted extremes. There is also influence from both "Carrie" and the Hunchback Of Norte Dame. But you are less sympathetic as the characters only suffer the consequences of their own actions making this a cautionary tale. 

All the eye candy makes this a fun ride, but while you are being dazzled by it you forget this is not that original concept just many mashed together Dorian Gray being who this story lifts most liberally from. By the end, you can tell where it is going, and it all falls apart with blood splatter that is hardly justified as there is little actual violence in the film aside from a showdown of sorts between the older and younger self. Until the end, the gore works well, as mutations from breaking the rules set it. It is a dark movie despite the bright lights is find's itself which might be its best quality. The writing and dialogue are lackluster, but the distraction works until the very when it just settles for a stylistic wandering. It is still recommended as it is technically brilliant even if the script needs substance.