Here's a dare for long-term couples who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. On the surface, it might appear like typical physical horror, but beneath Together resides a profound meditation about our choices in loving each other.
A Debut Feature Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, the two stars contribute a unique chemistry to their roles, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The narrative begins when the couple move from the urban environment to the rural area for professional reasons. A familiar story element, sure, but that’s largely where the tropes cease. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their new home, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim tumble into an underground cave. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity begins influencing the couple. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The complete narrative is a methodically building horror experience, weaving in bits of dreamlike terrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes amidst something horrific). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they masterfully render countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and distant from his support system. He fears the idea of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is intensified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision is that he refrains from painting either of his characters the obvious villain.
The couple grapple with the kind of problems that come with long-term unions over a long period. At their core, they still love one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights serve the other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your other half and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can undertake today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
