Hollywood loves a "two souls become one" romance. But when Dave Franco and Alison Brie starred in the 2025 body horror hit Together, they probably didn't expect the title to be taken so literally by a process server.
The couple, who’ve been married since 2017 and are basically the poster children for "cool indie power couple," find themselves at the center of a massive copyright infringement battle. It’s messy. It’s weird. Honestly, it’s exactly the kind of drama you’d expect from a movie where two people are physically fused together at the hip.
If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok or X (formerly Twitter) lately, you’ve probably seen the headlines. Some people are calling it a "blatant rip-off," while the stars themselves say the claims are basically a desperate cash grab.
What’s the alison brie dave franco lawsuit actually about?
Back in May 2025, a production company called StudioFest filed a lawsuit in California. They claim that Together—which NEON bought for a cool $17 million after a wild Sundance premiere—is a "beat-for-beat" copy of their 2023 indie film, Better Half.
Now, look, "people getting stuck together" isn't a new idea. It’s a trope. But StudioFest argues this goes way beyond a shared concept. They’re pointing to some very specific, very strange similarities that they say can't just be a coincidence.
- The Plato Connection: Both movies apparently use Plato’s Symposium as a major plot point. We’re talking about the specific myth that humans once had eight limbs and two faces before Zeus split them in half. The lawsuit claims the dialogue in Together is "near-verbatim" to the script they wrote years ago.
- The Spice Girls Factor: This is the one that has everyone talking. Both films allegedly end with the couple playing a vinyl record of the Spice Girls' Spiceworld while accepting their fate. The lawsuit even specifies they use the song "2 Become 1."
- The DIY Surgery: Both movies feature scenes where the characters try to separate themselves using everything from medical tools to—wait for it—chainsaws.
It's a lot. StudioFest’s lawyer, Dan Miller, didn't hold back, saying the similarities "defy any innocent explanation."
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Did Dave and Alison actually see the original script?
This is where things get legally sticky. For a copyright case to stick, you usually have to prove "access." You have to show that the people you're suing actually saw the work they supposedly stole.
StudioFest says they have the receipts.
According to the legal filing, back in August 2020, a casting director sent the script for Better Half to WME agents representing Franco and Brie. They even offered them $20,000 each to star in it. The agents reportedly replied, "Dave is going to pass, but thank you for thinking of him."
The lawsuit's theory? The couple (and their agency) saw a great idea, turned down the low-budget indie version, and then decided to produce their own "prestige" version with a bigger budget and a hand-picked writer.
The "Paper Trail" Defense
If you ask Dave Franco, he’ll tell you the whole thing is "ridiculous."
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During the press tour for the movie’s UK release in August 2025, Franco broke his silence. He told reporters that they have an "extensive paper trail" that proves they didn't steal a thing.
The real hero of the defense is the film's writer-director, Michael Shanks. He came out swinging with a statement saying he’s been working on the script since 2019. More importantly, he registered it with the Writers Guild of America (WGA) in 2019—a full year before StudioFest ever sent their script to WME.
Shanks says the story is deeply personal, inspired by his own 16-year relationship and the loss of his father. For him, being accused of theft isn't just a legal headache; it's an insult to his life's work.
WME and NEON aren't playing around either. Their joint statement basically called the lawsuit a "frivolous" attempt to drum up "15 minutes of fame for a failed project." They’re arguing that the Better Half team is just trying to snag a payday from that $17 million Sundance deal.
Why this matters for the future of Hollywood indies
This case is sort of a Rorschach test for how you view Hollywood.
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If you’re a struggling indie filmmaker, you probably see this as a classic case of "the big guys" stealing from the "little guys" because they have the resources to do it better. It’s the ultimate industry nightmare: pitching your heart out only to see your idea on a billboard three years later with someone else's name on it.
But if you’re a creator, you know that "convergent evolution" happens all the time. Two people can look at the same cultural zeitgeist—like the feeling of being "trapped" with a partner during the 2020 lockdowns—and come up with the same metaphor.
As of January 2026, the alison brie dave franco lawsuit is still grinding through the courts. It hasn't stopped the movie from being a massive hit on streaming services like Hulu, where it’s currently sitting at the top of the charts.
What you should keep an eye on
Legal battles like this usually end in one of two ways: a quiet, undisclosed settlement to make the PR headache go away, or a very loud trial that sets a precedent for how "similar" two movies can actually be.
If you’re following this story, here’s how to stay ahead of the curve:
- Check the WGA filings: The outcome really hinges on those 2019 registration dates. If Shanks can prove the "Spice Girls" and "Plato" elements were in his 2019 draft, StudioFest’s case basically evaporates.
- Watch both films: Honestly, the best way to form an opinion is to see them. Better Half is a low-budget "satirical comedy," while Together is a "prestige body horror." The "vibe" of a film matters a lot in copyright law.
- Monitor the countersuits: WME has already threatened to go after StudioFest for legal fees. If the court finds the suit was "frivolous," it could be a massive financial blow to the indie producers.
For now, Brie and Franco are moving on. They were recently spotted looking cozy at the 83rd Annual Golden Globes in January 2026, seemingly unbothered by the looming legal clouds. Whether they’re "together" or not, the court will eventually decide who really owns the idea of two people becoming one.
Actionable Insight: If you're a creative, always register your work with the WGA or Copyright Office before sending it to agents. The "paper trail" is often the only thing that stands between a successful career and a devastating lawsuit. Stay updated on the latest filings via the California Central District court records.