Here's a dare for partners in committed relationships who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. At first glance, it may seem like typical body horror, but inside Together lies a intense contemplation about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Debut Feature Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for ten years. Married in real life in 2017, the two stars bring a particular energy to their characters, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The narrative commences when Tim and Millie relocate from the metropolis to the countryside for professional reasons. A commonly used plot device, of course, but that’s mostly 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.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the two fall into an underground cave. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a strange force begins influencing the pair. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a methodically building fright fest, interspersing moments of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and removed from his network of friends. He dreads the idea of completely losing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is amplified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in Together never makes one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie face the kind of problems that are inherent in long-term unions over a long period. Deep down, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these concerns of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could act as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply look at your other half and state, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform at present.
