Actors and real-life couple Alison Brie and Dave Franco are facing a copyright infringement lawsuit concerning their forthcoming horror film, Together. The lawsuit, filed by independent production company StudioFest, alleges that Together is a “blatant rip-off” of StudioFest’s 2023 indie film Better Half.
Allegations of Idea Theft
StudioFest producers Jess Jacklin and Charles Beale claim that in 2020, they pitched the concept of Better Half—a film centered on a couple who become physically fused together, symbolizing codependency—to Brie and Franco through their agents at William Morris Endeavor (WME). The couple reportedly declined the offer. However, StudioFest alleges that Together, which Brie and Franco later starred in and produced, shares striking similarities with Better Half, including nearly identical scenes, dialogue, and thematic elements.
The lawsuit names multiple defendants: Brie and Franco; Michael Shanks, the writer-director of Together; WME, the talent agency representing the involved parties; and Neon, the film’s distributor. A spokesperson for WME dismissed the lawsuit as “frivolous and without merit,” asserting a strong defense against the claims.
Together premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and was subsequently acquired by Neon for $17 million. The film is scheduled for theatrical release on July 30, 2025. It stars Brie and Franco as a couple grappling with a supernatural force that physically binds them together, exploring themes of intimacy and codependency.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
As the release date approaches, the lawsuit casts a shadow over the film’s debut. StudioFest is seeking damages and attorney’s fees, emphasizing the alleged “striking similarities” between the two films. The case underscores the complexities of intellectual property rights within the film industry, particularly concerning idea submissions and creative ownership.
Representatives for Brie, Franco, Shanks, WME, and Neon have not provided additional comments beyond the initial dismissal of the lawsuit’s claims.
