Here's a dare for partners in committed relationships who enjoy the horror genre: Settle in with your loved one and view Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. At first glance, it might appear like conventional biological terror, but beneath Together exists a deep examination about how we choose to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for a decade. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the two stars contribute a special spark to their characters, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative begins when Millie and Tim transition from the big city to the rural area for Millie’s job. A familiar plot device, of course, but that’s mostly where the tropes end. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their new home, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity starts to affect the pair. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The entire film is a methodically building fright fest, interspersing bits of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes during something horrific). Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and delivers them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and removed from his social circle. He fears the concept of totally forfeiting his individual identity in his partner. This fear is amplified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he avoids making either of his characters the obvious villain.
The couple confront the sort of issues that are inherent in long-term unions a decade in. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to another person, the metaphor avoids being hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, 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 seen the movie as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, some couples who were in conflict found that the film actually helped 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 identify in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply turn to your partner and say, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform at present.
