It’s not often a film makes its debut with a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score, but Dave Franco and Alison Brie’s Together has done just that. Premiering at Sundance, this genre-bending horror flick has already stirred buzz with its blend of sci-fi, horror, and relationship troubles, all wrapped in a very indie, very chaotic package.
Meanwhile, the heavyweight horror franchise The Conjuring is gearing up for its next installment, Last Rites, but oddly still lacks a rating despite being just months from its release. Here’s how things are stacking up so far!
Dave Franco and Alison Brie’s Together is off to a killer start!!
Dave Franco’s Together is quickly becoming the indie horror movie to watch in 2025. Premiering at Sundance, the film has earned a flawless 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The story centers on a couple, played by real-life partners Franco and Alison Brie, who leave behind city life in search of peace, only to find something terrifyingly unnatural in their new countryside home. What begins with subtle tension spirals into surreal sci-fi horror, creating a uniquely jarring experience that critics are absolutely loving as they cannot stop singing praises of this movie.
Michael Shanks is taking the director’s chair for the first time and is bringing a fresh, offbeat energy to the genre. The film has been praised for its originality and genre-bending execution, with many reviewers highlighting its “wild” and “twisted” tone. It’s unsettling in the best way possible!
Although Together doesn’t yet have a theatrical release date, the Sundance buzz has firmly put it on horror fans’ radars. It’s being hailed as a much-needed jolt in a space often dominated by sequels and formulaic jump scares. While major franchises like The Conjuring prepare their next installments, Together is already being embraced for doing something new, unpredictable, and genuinely eerie.
If this early praise is anything to go by, Together could be the next breakout horror hit of the year, proving once again that smart, well-crafted indie films can still shake up the genre in big ways.
What to expect from The Conjuring: Last Rites?
The Conjuring: Last Rites is preparing for a major release in September 2025, but there’s an unusual amount of silence surrounding it for a film in such a successful franchise. It hasn’t even been officially rated yet on Rotten Tomatoes, which is odd considering it’s the next chapter in a universe that’s grossed over $2 billion worldwide.
This installment reunites Ed and Lorraine Warren, played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, respectively, for another paranormal investigation, and introduces new characters played by Ben Hardy and Mia Tomlinson, potentially setting up a passing of the torch. Only time will tell.
Directed by Michael Chaves, who previously helmed The Devil Made Me Do It, The Nun II, and The Curse of La Llorona, Last Rites is set to crank the level to 100. The trailer teases a chilling case that may top previous ones in intensity, hinting at a personal threat to the Warrens themselves.
But the big question that remains is, can Last Rites keep the franchise feeling fresh, or will it fall into the trap of repetition? While the formula has worked before, the horror landscape is most certainly changing. With original films like Together earning critical acclaim and pushing boundaries, franchise entries like The Conjuring now face higher expectations. Audiences want more than just jump scares, they want new stories, risks, and surprises.
Still, the name The Conjuring carries weight, and Last Rites could deliver another hit if it gives fans something new. Fans can expect creepy visuals, solid scares, and maybe hints at future spin-offs. But with so much competition, it will have to fight harder than ever to keep the crown.
The Conjuring: Last Rites is set to release in theaters on Sept. 5
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