Here's a challenge for partners in committed relationships who are fans of the horror genre: Settle in with your partner and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. At first glance, it could look like conventional body horror, but beneath Together lies a profound examination about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for over ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a particular energy to their roles, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The narrative commences when the couple transition from the metropolis to the countryside for her career. A familiar narrative setup, of course, but that’s mostly where the cliches cease. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists fall into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity starts to affect the couple. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying fright fest, blending bits of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) body horror, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self 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 floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and far away from his support system. He is terrified of the idea of totally forfeiting his individual identity in Millie. This fear is intensified by the fact he can’t drive and needs Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie refrains from painting Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Both characters confront the type of challenges that come with long-term unions over a long period. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, offer support, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these fears of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the symbolism never feels clumsy or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal work together symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that single viewers have understood the narrative as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Conversely, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could act as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the finale plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your partner and state, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can undertake right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
