Consider this a test for long-term couples who enjoy the horror genre: Get comfortable with your partner and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. At first glance, it could look like conventional biological terror, but beneath Together lies a profound meditation about the ways we decide to love each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have been together for a decade. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars bring a special spark to their roles, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The story begins when Millie and Tim relocate from the urban environment to the country for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s primarily where the cliches cease. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim tumble into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence starts to affect the duo. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a slow burn of scares, weaving in elements of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but never too gross) body horror, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and presents them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and removed from his network of friends. He fears the idea of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision is that he refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
The couple confront the sort of issues that arise in any relationship over a long period. Fundamentally, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama serve the other symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have understood the narrative as a powerful case for staying single. Conversely, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending inspire anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply look at your other half and say, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can experience at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform at present.
