After a seven-year hiatus, the talented duo of Alison Brie and Dave Franco reunite on screen in the highly praised Sundance hit, Together. This married couple’s last collaborative acting venture was in 2017 with the releases of The Disaster Artist and The Little Hours, both of which showcased their unique comedic talents. Although they collaborated on Franco’s directorial debut, The Rental, and co-wrote the romantic comedy Somebody I Used to Know, this is the first time they are sharing the screen in a pure acting capacity in years.
Set against a backdrop of personal and supernatural turmoil, Together explores the rocky relationship between Tim and Millie, brought to life by Franco and Brie. Following an unsuccessful marriage proposal, the couple relocates to Tim’s childhood home to start anew while Millie embarks on her teaching career and Tim pursues his music endeavors. Their struggle to mend their relationship takes an unexpected turn when a chilling supernatural event occurs, forcing them to confront both their feelings and a looming threat.
In honor of the film’s premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, ScreenRant had an exclusive chat with Dave Franco, Alison Brie, and director Michael Shanks. The trio delved into the journey that led Franco and Brie back to acting together, sharing insights into their experiences transitioning from previous projects to this unique horror-comedy.
Why Brie & Franco Are Selective About Their Roles
Exploring New Directions with Together
Despite their long absence from the screen together, Franco and Brie remain open to collaboration but choose to be “pretty selective”about new roles. They want to ensure their appearances do not become oversaturated, striving to make meaningful choices when it comes to portraying couples on-screen:
Dave Franco: We actively try to find something to do together every couple of years because we have such a great time.
Alison Brie: Usually, Dave has to write it, which can take some time.[Laughs]
Dave Franco: Exactly. We have been offered several roles as couples, but we’re aware of the risk of overexposure. However, this film felt right since our real-life dynamic aligns with the couple’s ten-year relationship in the story.
Reflecting on their prior performances in the horror genre, including Brie’s notable role in Scream 4 and Franco’s The Rental, both actors commend Shanks for steering them toward something “so different”from their earlier work. They mention the physically demanding nature of their roles, with Franco humorously noting he suffered from “bruises over my entire body”by production’s end:
Alison Brie: This film diverges significantly from our previous projects and typical horror offerings. The physical requirements are unprecedented.
Dave Franco: We documented the bruises to prove it! [Chuckles]
Alison Brie: While I enjoyed Scream 4, my role was smaller. In Together, it’s just the two of us on-screen the entire time at max intensity.
Dave Franco: Shanks’ approach to direction is strikingly different from my own. He has mastered VFX, which plays a significant role in our film. His blend of practical and digital effects creates an exquisite visual experience.
Alison Brie: It’s beautiful body horror.
Shanks’ Inspirations for Together
Praising Franco & Brie’s Supportive Roles
Marking his feature directorial debut, Together sees Shanks step out from short films and TV series, including The Wizards of Aus. He expresses immense gratitude for the collaborative experience with Franco and Brie, highlighting their unwavering support throughout the process:
Michael Shanks: Their support was crucial. They acted as a shield for both me and the project, ensuring fidelity to the script.
As body horror gains traction within the film industry, Together aims to provide a fresh take on the genre. Shanks cites several influential films that served as inspiration for his vision, including classics from John Carpenter and David Cronenberg, as well as noteworthy pieces from Kiyoshi Kurosawa and early M. Night Shyamalan:
Michael Shanks: When discussing body horror, films like The Thing and The Fly can’t be ignored. Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Cure haunts me and early Shyamalan’s work is exquisite, especially Signs. It’s a film that carries a humanistic core but remains genuinely terrifying.
Shanks reflects on blending horror with the complexities of Tim and Millie’s relationship, acknowledging that striking a balance between humor and tension was one of the film’s greatest challenges. He hopes audiences will find the narrative not just exciting but also distinctly unique:
Michael Shanks: My goal is to create a project that is both unique and highly entertaining. I want viewers to walk away asking, “What just happened?”while still feeling the narrative’s cohesion.
View more interviews from Sundance 2025, including:
- John Lithgow & the Jimpa Cast & Director
- Paradise Man Director Jordan Michael Blake
- Dylan O’Brien & the Twinless Cast & Director
- Brides Director & Stars
- Bubble & Squeak Director & Stars
- If I Had Legs I’d Kick You Director & Stars
- The Wedding Banquet Director & Stars
- Logan Lerman, Molly Gordon & the Oh, Hi! Cast
- Josh O’Connor & the Rebuilding Cast & Director
- Kiss of the Spider-Woman Director & Cast
- Plainclothes Producer & Cast
Together premiered globally at Sundance on January 26 and was quickly acquired by NEON, set for wide release on August 1.
Source: ScreenRant Plus
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