Consider this a test for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate horror films: Get comfortable with your significant other and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. Outwardly, it may seem like standard body horror, but inside Together lies a intense meditation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Debut Feature Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for a decade. Having wed in real life in 2017, the two stars infuse a special spark to their characters, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The narrative begins when the couple transition from the big city to the country for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, admittedly, but that’s largely where the cliches conclude. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the two discover an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity takes hold of the couple. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a slow burn fright fest, interspersing moments of dreamlike terrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and far away from his support system. He fears the notion of completely losing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is amplified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together never makes Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Both characters face the kind of problems that arise in most partnerships after ten years. At their core, they have affection for one another. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, certain partners having disagreements found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your partner and state, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu as of this moment.
