‘This is our Super Bowl': Watch parties abound for ‘Love Island USA' as season finale nears
"Get him out of my villa!" shouted another.
"Oh, we're voting tonight!" declared another as they whipped their index finger in a circular motion as if to say, "We need to round up the troops and get ready for war."
It's 8 p.m. at the Palm & the Pine and every single seat is taken, so some people have resorted to huddling outside to watch the action through a window. A small crew of bartenders are working double time to serve up wings, french fries and tropical-themed cocktails.
On most nights at the family-owned Hollywood spot, dubbed "your girlfriend's favorite sports bar," patrons might come to watch tennis or basketball or soccer. But on this Tuesday evening, the guests were there to watch a different type of game. They came to the crowded bar to watch "Love Island USA" with 200 other fans who are just as invested in the reality dating show as they are.
"The decibel levels crush any Super Bowl, World Series or anything we've shown there," said Colin Magalong, co-owner of the Palm & the Pine.
"This is our Super Bowl," added Madeline Biebel, founder of the pop-up event series that screens reality TV shows called Reality Bar, which has been hosting free "Love Island USA" watch parties at the Palm & the Pine and other bars across L.A.
While people have been gathering to watch high-profile television episodes in public spaces for years, the communal watch party has been having a resurgence, fueled in part by social media and the highly dissectible nature of shows like "The White Lotus," "Severance" and "Traitors." This summer, "Love Island USA," a spinoff of the U.K. reality dating show that airs six days a week, has sparked a pop culture craze and Angelenos are flocking to coffee shops, bars, restaurants, social clubs like Soho House and arcades like Dave & Buster's just to watch the show and kiki about it with others in person.
Now in its seventh season, the premise of "Love Island USA" is fairly simple: Ten singles are plopped into a lavish villa in Fiji, where they must couple up with a member of the opposite sex or risk getting dumped from the island. Over the course of several weeks, contestants (who are referred to as "islanders") participate in extravagant challenges - many of which require them to wear revealing outfits and make out with one another - that are designed to stir up drama. At random, "bombshells" are brought into the mix to encourage the islanders to test their romantic connections. All the while, viewers at home can vote for their favorite islanders, sort of like "American Idol," with hopes that they will make it to the end and win the $100,000 prize.
"It is so outlandish," said Lauren Sowa, who lectures on television and pop culture at Pepperdine. "Shows like 'The Bachelor' try to maintain a level of decorum and something like 'Love Island' throws that into their ocean and their pool and their foam parties with both hands."
Between the spicy games, the contestants' disconnection from the world, their dorm room-style living conditions and the ultimate challenge of finding love, Sowa says, "The stakes couldn't be higher. The drama couldn't be more and therefore we could not be more entertained."
The idea of bringing people together to watch "Love Island" and other reality TV shows came to Biebel in 2021 when L.A. was starting to reopen after the COVID pandemic. She wondered, "Why isn't there a bar or restaurant that shows 'The Bachelor'?" Biebel, 28, recalled.
At first the bartenders at her local sports bar laughed at her request to turn on the show, but when a crowd of people joined her to watch it on the patio, she knew that she was onto something.
She hosted the first Reality Bar event in 2023 at a restaurant on the rooftop of the Kimpton Hotel Wilshire and 40 people showed up to watch "Love Island USA" Season 5. She continued hosting watch parties for reality shows including "The Real Housewives" and "The Bachelor," one in which Joey Graziadei, the Bachelor himself, made a surprise appearance.
But none of the events have been as popular as the parties for the current season of "Love Island USA." Thanks to a TikTok that got nearly 3 million views, the watch party at the Palm & the Pine went from having about 100 RSVPs to 1,500. On Sunday, fans cheered when Austin Shepard and Charlie Georgiou, who were booted from the island, made an appearance at the event. To keep up with the growing demand, Biebel added 10 other venues to watch the show at including the Nickel Mine in Sawtelle, Roosterfish in West Hollywood and the Happy Rabbit in Sherman Oaks.
"People are just so hungry for connection and community especially post-COVID," said Biebel, adding that it brings people together who share a common interest. "Those moments where everyone is freaking out together are just magical."
At the Tuesday night party, people started arriving as early as 5 p.m. to secure a seat inside the two-story bar. As pop and hip-hop music played loudly over a sound system, attendees sipped on "Love Island"-themed cocktails with clever names like the "I've Got a Text-ini" (a vodka martini with cranberry juice), "Bare Minimum" (an espresso martini), "Hot New Bombshell" (tequila, grapefruit and lime), "Aftersun Spritz" (Prosecco, mint, soda and lemon) and "I'm Open" (cucumber, vodka, lemon and soda).
When the show promptly appeared on the bar's multiple TV screens at 8 p.m., a thunderous roar of cheers exploded. Throughout the dramatic episode - which involved the islanders reading anonymous letters about how their fellow cast mates truly felt about them - many patrons talked among themselves and shouted at the TV, but no one seemed bothered. The energy was high and the subtitles were on.
Branson Bond, 27, of Hollywood and six of his friends went to the watch party for the first time after learning about it on social media.
"It's one thing to see people's perception online, but it means so much more - whether it's music or film - to be around people who have a common interest," said Bond, who managed to find a booth in the upstairs area of the bar with his friends. "Especially with everything going on in the world, it's cool to kind of decompress with something silly every now and then."
"We love to kiki, to party [and] we need a debrief like immediately after the show, so I needed to experience this," said Giselle Gonzalez, 27, of Hollywood.
Reanna Davidson, 26, and her sister Maya Suarez usually rotate watching "Love Island USA" together at one of their homes, but they thought a watch party would be more fun.
"I feel like we're obsessed with "Love Island" and we go crazy at home so we wanted to see what the environment was like here," Davidson said in between sips of a martini.
"I like the drama, but also I like the love," she said. "Like last year, watching them all fall in love and really have relationships outside of it was so sweet."
After attending one of Reality Bar's watch parties at a different venue, DeVante Waugh, 32, wanted to come back with a group of his work friends who all started watching the show recently.
"I love the camaraderie here and everybody yelling," said Waugh, adding that he's still mad that Jeremiah was sent home during one of the show's most shocking moments. "It's fun. It's like watching a game. And then there's a lot of pretty women, not a lot of guys," he adds jokingly.
While some attendees left the bar immediately after the episode was over, some stayed to do karaoke, strike a pose in the photo booth or to recap what happened on the show with their new friends. It's this community aspect that JP Stanley, 29, of Hollywood appreciates most about watch parties.
"I think it's the sense of being a part of something," said Stanley as he sipped on a glass of Prosecco. He attended the event with a friend and said he hopes to see more watch parties even after the current season of "Love Island" wraps. "L.A. is really yearning for that community and I think this is something that really gives people of any age a place to connect, and it's such an easy common denominator."
He added, "There's no prerequisite required. You don't have to know anything about me and I don't have to know anything about you. I can just be like, "So, Love Island" and you'll be like, "Right, Amaya!"
---
'LOVE ISLAND USA'
Where to watch the season finale in L.A. on Sunday
The "Love Island USA" Season 7 finale airs Sunday, July 13, at 6 p.m. PT on Peacock. These bars around L.A. will be hosting watch parties, most of them organized by Reality Bar.
The Palm & the Pine (1624 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood) at 8 p.m.
Nico's (3111 Glendale Blvd #2, Los Angeles at 8 p.m.)
Roosterfish (8948 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood) at 8 p.m.
The Nickel Mine (11363 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles) at 8 p.m.
On the Thirty (14622 Ventura Blvd. #112, Sherman Oaks) at 8 p.m.
Happy Rabbit (5248 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks) at 8 p.m.
Untamed Spirits (3715 Evans St. W., Los Angeles) at 8 p.m.
Britannia Pub (318 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica) at 8 p.m.
Eastwood (611 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles) at 8 p.m.
33 Taps (at all 5 locations) at 8 p.m.
---
Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
If Edinburgh Fringe wants more hits like Fleabag and Baby Reindeer, it needs a complete overhaul
When the TV channel Dave announced it was scrapping its long-running Joke of the Fringe award, I felt a weird mixture of relief and trepidation. Yes, the widely publicised one-liners increasingly felt like a bit of a disservice to all the actual comic genius you'll find at the world's biggest arts festival (2023's Lorna Rose Treen winner 'I started dating a zookeeper, but it turned out he was a cheetah' was only ammo for pub bores across the land to say they could do better). But all the same, it's this kind of mainstream attention that makes the Fringe what it is: a place where hit shows like Fleabag and Baby Reindeer emerge from dingy tents, and comedy legends from Bridget Christie to Sacha Baron-Cohen to Miranda Hart find their feet, victors of a fevered battle against the odds, the Scottish rain and public indifference. The loss of Dave's headline-grabbing annual award feels like a warning sign. Is the fest coming dangerously close to losing its relevance? Before the pandemic, the story of Edinburgh Fringe was one of unstoppable growth and opportunity. Each year, press releases trumpeted the 'biggest arts festival to date' line, as it ballooned from a plucky band of eight companies in 1947 into an event with 3,548 shows at its still-unsurpassed peak in 2018. But in recent years, some of its sheen has worn off. The tide started turning in 2017, when activist group Fair Fringe drew attention to the appalling pay and living conditions of Fringe workers in roles that stretched the term 'volunteer' beyond its reasonable limits. Meanwhile, outcry gathered as profiteering festival landlords began to distort the city's housing market, all year long. But it wasn't until the festival started to get back up to speed after the fallow Covid years that these issues dominated the conversation. Wasn't the pandemic-induced break meant to be an opportunity to build back, better? Instead, accommodation costs have since soared to new heights: 'I can't afford Edinburgh Fringe accommodation – so I'm sleeping in a tent,' said cash-strapped comedian Narin Oz in The Times. A recent Guardian article warned that university comedy revues are struggling to afford the festival, where comedians from John Cleese to Ed Gamble cut their teeth as students. Leeds Tealights paid £6,500 for their accommodation this year, in a huge increase on the £4,000 spent in 2023. And key venues have struggled, too. This year feels artistically depleted by the absence of influential venue Paine's Plough Roundabout, which presented some of the festival's biggest success stories, including hit West End musical Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder! in a tent in Summerhall courtyard. Funding challenges, too, have meant that this year's International Festival is presenting a diminished programme of local shows. In a major financial blow, key sponsor Johnnie Walker has pulled out after six years, and the Fringe has struggled to attract new corporate sponsors – many of whom are spooked by the idea of funding the arts, when highly publicised campaigns have forced institutions to reject backing from Baillie Gifford (Edinburgh Literary Festival) and Shell (National Gallery). So many of the Fringe's problems could be solved by a massive injection of cash: to subsidise performers' costs, to shore up struggling venues, to make sure everyone's paid fairly. But outgoing Fringe Society director Shona McCarthy sounded a gloomy note as she left her role this spring. 'This festival is not seen as something that you invest in,' she said. 'It's seen as something that's a money-spinner that you can extract from. And I think that's a real problem.' As she reminded us, the Fringe is the third-biggest ticketed event in the world, after the Olympics and the Fifa World Cup. But while those cultural institutions are given billions in funding by both governments and corporate sponsors, the Fringe is funded in a piecemeal fashion. Its biggest investors are the impecunious artists and comedians who shell out for accommodation and venue hire each year, in the hope of making it big. Last year's scandal over box office takings at Summerhall highlighted that central unfairness. Artists who'd brought shows to the venue were left out of pocket by up to £15,000 each, after their ticket income was caught up in a corporation tax dispute with HMRC (they eventually got their money back in January this year). It's this kind of situation that risks deterring future artists from bringing work to the Fringe – and artists' confidence matters, because although the outside world might love an overnight success story, the truth is generally less romantic. Baby Reindeer seemed like an overnight sensation when it debuted on Netflix in 2024. In reality, its success was years in the making. Richard Gadd had premiered the play at Summerhall in 2019, after nearly a decade of bringing dark, disturbing and increasingly successful shows to the fest (including another stalker narrative, 2013's Cheese & Crack Whores). As his trajectory shows, mainstream success only comes when artists have had time and space to trial their work on the fringe, in front of crowds who are uniquely receptive to brave experiments. But they can only keep going if they can afford to. The Edinburgh Fringe is a hard sell for corporate sponsors, due to its uncurated messiness, its profiteering landlords and its boundary-pushing artistic values. Still, what's heartening is the way that arts industry leaders are increasingly dreaming up new ways to make sure the Fringe lives up to its own mythos, as a place where luminous new talents can emerge from tiny dark spaces. Francesca Moody, the producer who famously locked Phoebe Waller-Bridge in a room until she finished the script for her Edinburgh hit turned telly sensation Fleabag, is running a new Fringe venue this year. Shedinburgh has a uniquely nurturing model: it pays artists' travel and accommodation, plus a fee or box office split, whichever is higher. Another break with tradition comes courtesy of The Keep It Fringe Fund, which launched in 2023 with a £50,000 donation from Waller-Bridge, the honorary Fringe Society president. Now, the fund has secured UK government funding that means it can support 180 shows a year with grants of £2,500, prioritising working-class and disabled artists who might otherwise struggle to attend. In some ways, these measures are drops in the ocean. But they do suggest a key shift. Historically, the Edinburgh Fringe prided itself on being an open-access festival where anyone could turn up and try their luck – provided they didn't expect a leg up beyond a listing in the programme. Now, at least, there's an understanding that the Fringe will only live up to its promise if it supports its participants to take risks in an increasingly tough economic landscape. Changing the Edinburgh Fringe will be costly – but it can't afford to stay still.
Buzz Feed
4 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
These 30 Products May Be Unexciting, Ordinary, Or Just Plain Mundane — But Somehow They're Still Life Changing
A pack of surprisingly absorbent Swedish dishcloths — the ultimate substitute for those endless rolls of single-use paper towels. They can absorb up to 20 times their weight in liquid; plus they're fast-drying (which helps prevent odors), machine washable, and can be reused over and over! Monday Haircare dry shampoo perfect for those chaotic mornings when washing your hair just isn't an option. It absorbs oil while giving your locks a sneaky keratin boost, ensuring they stay smooth and frizz-free. And! It leaves your mane with a delightful gardenia scent. Beauty enthusiasts are buzzing about it being a wallet-friendly alternative to brands like Batiste, Living Proof, and Amika — so you can finally stop splurging. A cult-fave Panoxyl foaming wash formulated with 10% benzoyl peroxide, the highest over-the-counter concentration you can buy. It's also antimicrobial, which means it's fighting off the bacteria that causes acne in the first place and preventing new breakouts from forming. A tube of Nerdwax that'll add just the right amount of grip whenever the bridge of your nose decides it wants to cosplay as a slip-n-slide for your sunglasses. This wax stick makes sure your specs stay put whether you're running to catch a bus, nodding along in a meeting, and everything in between. A pack of SweatBlock antiperspirant wipes if you find yourself wiping away beads of sweat the moment you step outside. With these convenient bad boys, you can make it through the day feeling fresh and dry. An oscillating tower fan that's apparently so good, one reviewer crowned it "THE GLACIER." This fan has six different speeds and can blow cool air up to 30 feet away. Plus, it comes with four modes to choose from, so you can customize the breeze just how you like it, and reviewers rave about how incredibly quiet it is. No more annoying fan noise while you're trying to relax or sleep! A reviewer-beloved veggie chopper so you can fly through making dinner because (in my opinion) prepping produce is the most time-consuming part. This handy gadget allows you to chop, slice, and julienne your veggies in record time. This chopper also features a built-in storage container to prevent messy countertops. A pair of reusable silicone nipple covers because the last thing we want is you in the chilly conference room recreating Janet Jackson's Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction during that big presentation. These little lifesavers last up to 12 hours (perfect for bra-free days), offer ultra-discreet coverage, and are totally waterproof. Drizzilicious mini rice cakes that are so delicious, I literally have bags throughout my house *and* in my car. These delightful bites are vegan, gluten-free, and crafted with plant-based ingredients like chia, quinoa, and flax. They have a satisfying crunch that's somehow soft, and a sweetness that hits just right without going overboard. The Pink Stuff's new "Sqeezy" set taking their legendary cleaning paste to new heights with the help of a versatile cleaning sponge. The stubborn layer of grease on your pans from last night's dinner — gone! The mildew on your shower walls that's been mocking your scrubbing efforts for weeks — history! The Pink Stuff is so good at its job, reviewers have called it everything from "a miracle" to "witchcraft." A set of ingenious double shower curtain hooks so you never have to struggle with those old-school "pop off" ones ever again. These hook rings are an absolute game changer, allowing you to take your shower curtain and liner on and off with ease. These'll help smooth out at least one wrinkle in the fabric of adult responsibilities! (Like seriously, where were these when I was in college?) A set of breathable bamboo bed sheets in case you enjoy snuggling all night with your S.O. but do *not* enjoy feeling like you're sleeping on a bed of coals because your partner is a human heater. This soft, moisture-wicking material will prevent sweaty nights so you can still have a good night's sleep without waking up in a puddle of sweat in the morning. And a set of two cooling pillows so you can enjoy the same blissful sleep that you got on vacation at that luxurious resort. This super soft pillow holds its shape with memory foam, and no matter if you're a side sleeper or a back sleeper, it'll provide the comfort you need to be knocked out in minutes. A manual flossing toothbrush with special bristles to clean in between your teeth and get out all those popcorn kernels and sesame seeds from your everything bagel, leaving you feeling like you just left the dentist. And if you have sensitive teeth, no worries, because reviewers say these bristles are super soft. An oral rinse so you can eat garlic and onions to your heart's content and no one will know. This mouthwash helps control bad breath for 24 hours and doesn't burn like Listerine. And just between you and me, it's so good, it's worth the morning swish dance. A fast-acting, refillable hidden fly trap that not only catches house flies, fruit flies, moths, and gnats but does it all with a little light magic — luring those pesky bugs from up to 400 feet away so you don't have to waste time and money scattering traps all throughout your home. The sticky side is cleverly hidden on the back, so you won't have to face a gross bug graveyard every time you turn on the lights. A weekly meal planner you can use to streamline grocery shopping, slash bills, and save a ton of time. It's like having a culinary wingman, especially for those days when you just can't deal with the mental gymnastics of meal planning. The Car Seat Key designed to take the struggle out of buckling and unbuckling car seats, saving your freshly manicured nails one click at a time. Plus, it hooks right onto your keychain, so it's always there when you need it. A set of family-friendly pastel "unbreakable" deep plates so practical, they basically pay for themselves. Made of wheat straw fiber, these lightweight plates won't break when you (or a kid) accidentally drop them, and they have a thickened bottom that's anti-slip. They're durable enough for the dishwasher and will survive *all* of your moves, and they come in the cutest colors that'll make every meal feel special! A pair of compression gloves to bring some relief to your sore, aching hands after a long day of typing reports. These gloves are breathable so you won't have to worry about your hands getting sweaty after using them for an extended period of time. Medicube's "Zero Pore" Pads that might just seem like another step to add to your skincare routine, but trust me when I say they're something you didn't know you needed. These dual-textured pads contain lactic acid and salicylic acid, and they're designed to help control excess sebum while exfoliating dead skin, refining pores, and keeping your glow game strong. ✨ A clever Pikk-it tool created to reach into your vacuum rollers and remove all those stubborn hair clumps that are stealing your vac's mojo (and suction). Reviewers also use this to remove hair and lint from the bristles of their hairbrushes! A set of Snug Plugs if you're tired of your hair dryer plug constantly slipping out of the bathroom outlet. These nifty little contraptions are designed to create a secure and snug fit between outlets and plugs, ensuring they stay exactly where you want them. A six-pack of XL wool dryer balls you can throw in with your laundry to speed up the drying time — and prevent you from restarting the cycle for a second, third, or (if you have an old dryer like me 😭) fourth time. They also prevent your clothes from coming out covered in that annoying fuzz or dealing with little static shocks when you touch something. Plus, they naturally fluff and soften items, so you can wrap yourself in that cozy sweater or those plush towels straight out of the dryer! A pack of anti-slip pads to save your ~sole~ from the embarrassment of slipping and sliding in public when you strap on your new heels for the first time. The grippy, adhesive pads stick onto the bottom of your shoes for added stability, and the discreet design will keep everyone's eyes on your fabulous new pumps (instead of wondering whether you stepped in something). A quick-drying mesh bath toy storage bag parents can't stop raving about because it makes bathtime cleanup a breeze. It works like a net, letting you scoop up all the toys from the bathwater. Hang it to dry afterward, and your little one's toys will be ready for the next splashy adventure. A pack of headrest hooks to bring organizational bliss to the otherwise chaotic domain that is your car. These little gems can hold everything from your purse to those grocery bags that always seem to topple over, leaving a free-for-all of rolling onions and lemons on the floor. These are also perfect for the kiddos' backpacks and sports bags! A pack of teeth-friendly silicone pouch lids, your sidekick in the battle against messy mealtimes. This little gizmo is equipped with a genius flow-control valve that ensures your eager little self-feeder can dive into their food without turning it into a playful yet messy art project on you, the table, the chair, and themselves. A small but mighty portable air compressor ready to save you (and your flat tire) when in a pinch. This gadget will get the air pumped back up in about a minute, and it features real-time pressure monitoring so you don't have to guess if you've got enough in your tires. Added bonus: It has its own built-in LED light, so you can see what you're doing if this unfortunate turn of events happens at night. A memory foam seat cushion designed with orthopedic gel to spare your lower back and sciatica from those long hours glued to your work chair. This seat cushion promotes correct posture, giving more support to the lower back and making it a little more enjoyable to sit for extended periods of time.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
'Together' is sexy & hilarious — it's also, accidentally, the queerest horror film of the year
Together might not have started out as an interrogation of gender, but it accidentally became the queerest horror film of the year anyway. It also happens to be one of the year's best, too The film, which comes from first-time feature director Michael Shanks and stars Alison Brie and Dave Franco (who also produced the movie), introduces audiences to Tim and Millie (Franco and Brie, respectively), an outwardly happy, middle-class, unmarried couple on the eve of a big milestone in their relationship. Millie, a teacher, has taken a new job outside the city, and Tim has agreed to come along, potentially leaving behind his dreams of rock stardom. Tim is also wracked with grief over the loss of his father, which has taken a toll on their intimacy — something Millie is willing to look past, but that secretly gnaws at her. In other words, just beneath the surface of this relationship simmers a stew of resentment and insecurity. The question at the heart of the film is whether they really want to commit to a lifetime together — flaws and all — or if they should, wait for it, no longer be together . Germain McMicking/Neon Moving away from their friends and Tim's gigs only puts more pressure on the fault lines of their already fractured connection. To reconnect, they go for a hike, only to stumble — quite literally — into an underground chamber where something they encounter sets off a chain reaction. What follows is a feverishly toxic bond that only grows more intense... especially when their very flesh seems to want to fuse — once again — together. It's a concept born from Shanks' own romantic history. Like his principal characters, he and his partner have been together since they were quite young, and the film reflects his own anxieties around commitment, toxic enmeshment, and loss of identity. 'It's about how crazy it is in any relationship to kind of fully commit to somebody, to share a life with somebody,' he tells PRIDE. 'It's a weird and scary kind of thing to do.' Ben King/Neon Michael Shanks directs Alison Brie and Dave Franco in 'Together' It's a dynamic that anyone, regardless of sexuality or gender, can relate to — but how it's expressed in the film is where things take a surprising left turn into a post-gender world. It's challenging to discuss without revealing the film's many twists and turns. But without venturing too far into the weeds, the film presents a mythology that renders gender obsolete and even a symptom of something fundamentally broken in humanity. It also features a pivotal queer character who serves as both witness and confidant to Millie and Tim as their life transition becomes more of a — shall we say — transformation. Brie is proud of the way the character's presence is treated casually, and she emphasizes the importance of that approach. 'You don't always have to be making a commentary on it — really, just reflecting the way the world is, where we have all types of couples,' she tells PRIDE. Germain McMicking/Neon Although the film takes a darker view on the subject, in Together, love really is love. As a result, couples of all varieties will see their anxieties and emotions reflected in the story — even Brie and Franco, who are married to one another and creative partners together, found themselves reflecting on their own dynamics while making the film. 'We had a lot of discussions about the differences between toxic codependency and maybe sort of like mild codependency,' says Brie. 'I think we came to realize that we have some codependent tendencies in our relationship, but because of our jobs, we actually end up spending a lot of time apart, so we're able to cultivate really good independence and social circles away from each other. Then, when we come back and work together, it feels really nice.' 'It's healthy to kind of miss each other from afar every once in a while,' adds Franco to PRIDE. 'We don't really have many boundaries, and it might kind of become the toxic version of codependency,' he jokes. Although the film is doubtlessly body horror, it's a rare entry in the subgenre that offers some lightness. Part of that comes from the sharp comedic edge of its cast — and it makes great use of more, shall we say, visceral moments for some shockingly funny sight gags. 'We were debating the other day if this is the first feel-good body horror movie. You do kind of walk away wanting to, like, dance and move your body and you're feeling good,' says Franco. Although he also admits with a laugh, 'We've also heard from single people who've seen the movie who have said, 'This is a strong argument for staying single.'' Germain McMicking/Neon Regardless of where audiences fall on that spectrum, they will undoubtedly also be presented with some fascinating questions about gender, what a post-gender world would look like, and if we're better off without it all. Intentionally or not, the film presents those fascinating questions and leaves you with plenty more to chew on — which is the sign of a great horror film. Together is the most romantic, queerest, and funniest body horror film in recent memory. Brie and Franco are perfectly cast, and their real-life chemistry shines through. It's a rom-com for sickos and queer folks — and that's the highest compliment I can give a film. Together is out now in theaters. Check out the trailer below. Years into their relationship, Tim and Millie (Dave Franco and Alison Brie) find themselves at a crossroads as they move to the ... - YouTube This article originally appeared on Pride: 'Together' is sexy & hilarious — it's also, accidentally, the queerest horror film of the year
