Together's love story gets under your skin, risky thriller Girl On Edge skates by

The story: Married American actors Dave Franco and Alison Brie star as unhappy partners Tim and Millie, whose relationship is infected by a supernatural force.

- Whang Yee Ling

TOGETHER (M18) 91 minutes, opens on Aug 21 ★★★★☆☆

Tim and Millie, now in their 30s, have been together a decade and are beginning to question if it is merely out of habit. A move upstate to the countryside widens their rift as schoolteacher Millie settles into her posting in the local town and befriends a solicitous colleague (Damon Herriman), while her unemployed musician boyfriend continues to dream of rock stardom.

No need for couples counselling, though, because the film is an American body horror with its own prescription for commitment issues, courtesy of Australian writer-director Michael Shanks.

During a hike near their new home, the two fall into a cave where they drink from a sinkhole. Thereafter, Tim is inexplicably, uncontrollably attached to Millie emotionally and physically.

They start to fuse in disgusting ways, flesh on flesh and bones cracking, however much they try to resist in their appalled confusion. A sex scene is excruciating. Will they have to resort to a chainsaw?