The movie ‘Together’, directed by Michael Shanks and starring Alison Brie and Dave Franco, is currently facing a lawsuit accusing it of being a copy of the independent film ‘Better Half’. The lawsuit was filed on May 13 by producers Jess Jacklin and Charles Beale, who claim that ‘Together’ is a blatant plagiarism, arguing that both works share several thematic and plot similarities, including the premise of a couple who wakes up physically connected as a metaphor for codependence.
A legal battle is coming
In response to the accusations, Michael Shanks described the lawsuit as completely false and defended that ‘Together’ is the result of his own personal experiences. Shanks stated that he completed the first draft of the script in 2019 and has been working on the project since then. The director emphasized that the story of Tim and Millie reflects a deep part of his life, including the trauma of losing his father, which makes the allegations devastating.
Despite the controversy, ‘Together’ has generated a lot of interest, selling for an impressive total of 17 million dollars after an intense bidding war at the Sundance Film Festival. The film, which will premiere in theaters on July 30, tells the story of a couple with relationship issues who are forced to confront their physical and emotional closeness.
Shanks’ defense has sent a letter asking the plaintiffs to withdraw the lawsuit, pointing out that the similarities between the works are minimal and that due diligence was not conducted before proceeding legally. In a joint response, it was argued that the plaintiff is simply seeking to generate media attention for a failed project. With the court looming, both sides are preparing for a possible legal dispute in the coming months.