PREMIERE Here’s everything that went down at the opening night of The Sydney Film Festival. And yes, we’re traumatised.

Unless you live under a rock, or avoid the city at all costs (in which case, fair), you’d probably know by now that the Sydney Film Festival officially kicked off last night. Celebrating its 72nd lap around the sun, the festival is already being praised for its impressively stacked lineup.

And while we could harp on about the program until the cows come home, we know you’re really here for the inside goss from opening night. So, let’s get into it.

The carpet, the chaos, the cast

As always, the evening kicked off with a red carpet roll-out. And in all honesty? We were pleasantly surprised by the number of actual directors, filmmakers and actors that turned up. A Sydney social event can so easily be overrun with influencers (sorry, content creators) – and while there’s a time and place for that, we found it refreshing to see a proper industry focus for once.

With the Australian premiere of Michael Shanks’ body horror-rom-com Together launching the program, there were plenty of Aussie cast members in attendance. Honourable mentions go to Lord Mayor Clover Moore, Tai Hara, Krew Boylan, and our personal king, Danny Philippou. Red carpet energy was pretty lighthearted and tame… and no, that did not foreshadow what was to come.

Enter: Psychological trauma with a side of popcorn

After a brief film intro from Shanks, which he described as “a story of love” (red flag #1), we sat down, blissfully unaware of what we were about to endure. What followed was quite possibly the most disturbing film I’ve ever seen. And no, I still haven’t eaten since.

Massive hats off to Michael Shanks. Not only is it a serious flex to have your first ever film selected for opening night, but we genuinely applaud his ability to live inside his own brain. There won’t be any spoilers here, but if your curiosity’s been piqued: expect an exploration of co-dependent relationships, told through a lens of grotesque, visceral, what-the-actual-fuck-ness.

“I think I’m going to be sick,” Celia, during an arm-chopping scene, seated to my right.

To be fair, we probably didn’t realise what we were signing up for when we walked into the cinema. And yes, I’m not a horror girlie (by that, I mean I avoid it at all costs). But even with all that in mind, Shanks has delivered something undeniably bold, unnerving, and weirdly touching. The kind of film you’ll be thinking about for hours, or sleepless nights, later.

One post-screening glass of bubbles and a mild existential crisis later, here I am: still trying to find the words. Together is disturbing, clever, and completely unforgettable.

10/10 — would highly recommend. Do not eat before.

Okay, enough from me. Scroll down to see all the red carpet piccies from the night. And if you’re keen to learn more about the 2025 Sydney Film Festival, head over here.