Since its premiere at Sundance earlier this year, the horror film Together, featuring Michael Shanks, has captivated fans. Picked up by Neon and beautifully marketed with haunting trailers, the film hit theaters last weekend, garnering impressive box office results. Known for its provocative scenes and shocking visual effects, the movie evolves into an unforgettable experience that concludes with a powerful twist achieved entirely without AI.
Be warned—spoilers for Together lie ahead, so proceed if you’re ready to dive in!
In Together, Tim and Millie (played by Dave Franco and Alison Brie) fall victim to a mysterious force intent on merging their bodies. The intricacies of this bizarre phenomenon become increasingly peculiar, ultimately leading the couple to realize they must surrender to this force. The film culminates in a shocking final shot: a new entity—a fusion of both characters—opening the door to Millie’s visiting parents.
In a conversation on Indiewire’s Filmmaker Toolkit Podcast, Shanks expressed his surprise over the consistent speculation that AI was involved in creating the film’s ending. “I’ve had numerous screenings with audience members asking if AI was responsible for that ending,” he shared, emphasizing that the creativity stemmed purely from human talent. “It’s not just a computer that made it.”
The character resulting from this blend—dubbed “Tillie”—was crafted using makeup and visual effects compositing by Genevieve Camilleri. “During pre-production, Genevieve took photos of both actors and, using software, created variations to highlight essential features from both of their faces for that final shot,” Shanks explained.
On set, after filming with Alison, Shanks explained that they brought Dave in with facial markers, expertly combining their features into a seamless visual. “It’s a fascinating blend of makeup and compositing, but nothing was computer-generated,” he noted.
Stepping back, it’s somewhat bewildering that in today’s cinematic landscape, Shanks feels the need to clarify that his film avoided generative AI. Just a few years prior, audiences would have readily accepted visual effects, attributing such creativity to human effort. Shanks’ dedication to his craft produced something notable, meanwhile sparking a conversation around the artistry behind filmmaking. Let’s celebrate the human creativity that breathes life into our screens.
Together is currently in theaters.
Have you ever wondered about the unique cinematic techniques used in horror films? Or how filmmakers achieve such incredible effects without modern technology? Take your curiosity further with insights on the latest in film and tech, as well as what’s next for your favorite series like Marvel and Star Wars.
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