We present a test for partners in committed relationships who appreciate the horror genre: Sit down with your significant other and view Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. At first glance, it may seem like conventional body horror, but within Together resides a profound contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
An Introductory Film Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars contribute a particular energy to their roles, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The plot commences when the couple move from the metropolis to the countryside for her career. A commonly used narrative setup, of course, but that’s primarily where the conventions conclude. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their new home, a storm hits, and the two fall into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity begins influencing the pair. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The whole movie is a slow burn of scares, blending bits of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) body horror, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes during something horrific). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and far away from his social circle. He dreads the concept of totally forfeiting his sense of self in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he refrains from painting Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that arise in long-term unions after ten years. Deep down, they still love each other. They still laugh together, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the metaphor never feels clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could act as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the ending inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply look at your partner and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can experience right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu now.