The Viral Controversy: 5 Shocking Facts About The Indie Film ‘Better Half’ (2023) And The Multi-Million Dollar Lawsuit

The 2023 independent film *Better Half* is no longer just a festival-circuit romantic comedy; it has become the central figure in one of the most talked-about copyright infringement lawsuits of the current decade, pitting an indie production team against Hollywood heavyweights Dave Franco and Alison Brie. Released in 2023 and directed by Patrick Henry Phelan, the film's unique, high-concept premise—a couple waking up physically fused after a one-night stand—has ignited a firestorm of controversy, giving this small-budget project a viral level of attention it never could have anticipated. This article, updated for December 15, 2025, dives deep into the film’s fresh, unconventional plot, its talented cast, and the explosive legal battle that has made *Better Half* a must-know entity in modern cinema. The film, which premiered at festivals like Dances With Films and the Brooklyn Film Festival in 2023, was initially celebrated for its metaphorical take on relationship commitment, blending romantic comedy tropes with a body-horror-esque twist. The recent lawsuit, however, has transformed its narrative from a quirky indie gem into a symbol of the struggle between independent creators and major studio productions, alleging that a high-profile Hollywood film is a "blatant rip-off" of its core concept.

The Creative Team and Cast of 'Better Half' (2023)

The success and subsequent controversy of *Better Half* are rooted in the vision of its writer and director, Patrick Henry Phelan, and the chemistry of its lead actors, Connor Paolo and Dianne Doan. The film’s production was spearheaded by StudioFest, with producers Charles Irving Beale, Jess Jacklin, and Jake Bowen bringing the unique concept to life.

Director and Writer: Patrick Henry Phelan

Patrick Henry Phelan, who both wrote and directed *Better Half*, is a filmmaker originally hailing from the sticks of Massachusetts. Prior to directing his feature film, Phelan spent years working as an Assistant Director in New York City, honing his technical skills in the bustling metropolitan film scene. He later earned an MFA in Screenwriting, equipping him with the narrative structure necessary to tackle such a high-concept project. Phelan’s background as an Assistant Director (AD) gave him a practical, hands-on approach to filmmaking, which is evident in the film's tight pacing and execution.

The Main Cast: Connor Paolo and Dianne Doan

The film’s emotional core relies heavily on the performances of its two leads, who portray the couple at the heart of the bizarre fusion event.

• Connor Paolo (as Arturo): Paolo is perhaps best known to audiences for his main roles in popular television series. He gained prominence as Eric van der Woodsen in the hit CW drama *Gossip Girl* and later starred as Declan Porter in the ABC drama *Revenge*. In *Better Half*, he plays Arturo, a character described as a hopeless romantic desperately searching for true love, whose life is upended by the physical bonding.
• Dianne Doan (as Daphne): Doan is a Canadian actress who has built a strong reputation in the television world, notably for her main cast role as Mai Ling in the Cinemax/HBO Max martial arts series *Warrior* (2019–2023) and as Kora in *Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.* (Season 7). Doan’s character, Daphne, is the antithesis of Arturo—a serial polygamist with a severe allergy to commitment. Her performance anchors the film’s blend of comedy and relationship drama.
• Supporting Cast: The ensemble cast also features veteran actress Jamie Donnelly (known for playing Jan in the original film *Grease*) as Dr. Carpenter, and Sean Marquette as Paul.

The High-Concept Plot: Fusion as a Relationship Metaphor

The narrative of *Better Half* is designed to be a potent, physical metaphor for the challenges of modern commitment. The film begins when Arturo and Daphne, two people with fundamentally opposing views on love and relationships, have a seemingly casual one-night stand.

The shocking twist—and the film's central premise—occurs the next morning when they wake up to discover their bodies have been mysteriously and physically bonded together. This body-horror element is not played for pure horror, but rather for its comedic and dramatic potential, forcing the two mismatched individuals to navigate their daily lives while literally attached to one another. The film uses this improbable scenario to explore deep-seated themes of codependency, emotional intimacy, and the true meaning of partnership.

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The core conflict stems from Daphne’s aversion to long-term relationships and Arturo’s intense desire for connection. Being physically fused forces Daphne to confront her fear of commitment and Arturo to deal with the reality of an inescapable bond. The 85-minute feature, which is categorized as a Romantic Comedy and Drama, uses the absurdity of their situation to deliver both genuine laughs and poignant insights into the contemporary dating landscape.

The 'Blatant Rip-Off' Lawsuit: Better Half vs. Together

The most significant and recent news surrounding *Better Half* is the massive copyright infringement lawsuit that has propelled the indie film into the mainstream media spotlight. This legal battle is the key to understanding the film’s current topical authority and increased search interest.

The lawsuit was filed in May by the producers of *Better Half*, including StudioFest and co-founders Jess Jacklin and Charles Irving Beale, against the team behind the highly-anticipated, high-budget horror film *Together*. The defendants include high-profile actors Dave Franco and Alison Brie, who co-produced the film, as well as its writer-director, Michael Shanks.

The Core Allegation

The plaintiffs allege that *Together* is a "blatant rip-off" and "virtually identical" to the screenplay and plot of *Better Half*. The central similarity lies in the unique premise: both films center on a couple who wake up to find their bodies physically fused together. The *Better Half* team claims that their film’s concept was pitched to Alison Brie and other defendants in 2020, years before *Together* began production.

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The lawsuit highlights that the physical fusion is not just a random plot device but a specific, non-generic metaphorical mechanism for exploring relationship issues. The plaintiffs argue that the defendants stole "every original aspect" of their screenplay, including the use of body fusion as a metaphor for a toxic or co-dependent relationship. This legal action has created a massive buzz, with many industry observers following the case closely as a test of intellectual property rights for independent filmmakers.

The Defense and Industry Impact

The defendants, including Franco and Brie, have strongly denied the plagiarism claims. They argue that the copyright infringement claim fails because there is no "substantial similarity of protected expression" between the two works, suggesting that the concept of two people being physically joined is not unique or protected. Despite the defense's response, the lawsuit has brought an unprecedented level of attention to *Better Half*, turning the indie film into a cause célèbre for independent creators.

This controversy has inadvertently boosted the visibility of the film and its creative team, including Patrick Henry Phelan, Connor Paolo, and Dianne Doan. It has also sparked a wider industry conversation about idea theft, pitching processes, and the vulnerability of independent intellectual property when it encounters the established studio system. The outcome of the *Better Half* vs. *Together* lawsuit will likely set a significant precedent for future high-concept indie films.

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Topical Entities and Related Films

While the focus remains on the Patrick Henry Phelan film, it is worth noting the existence of another film with the same title, the Nollywood feature *Better Half* (2023), directed by Nwosu Agbagana Richard and produced by Ruth Kadiri. This Nollywood production, following the established Ruth Kadiri storytelling format, is a separate entity entirely, but its shared title adds a layer of complexity to search results.

The US indie film *Better Half* stands out due to its unique blend of genres—Romantic Comedy, Drama, and a touch of body horror. Its high-concept premise and the subsequent legal battle against the production of *Together* (a $17 million Sundance body horror film) solidify its place as a significant, albeit controversial, entry in the 2023 independent cinema landscape. The film’s exploration of modern relationship anxieties through a bizarre, inescapable physical bond makes it a compelling watch, regardless of the ongoing legal drama.