Consider this a dare for long-term couples who are fans of scary movies: Sit down with your significant other and view Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. On the surface, it could look like conventional body horror, but within Together resides a intense examination about our choices in loving each other.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for a decade. Married in reality in 2017, the actors bring a particular energy to their characters, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The story commences when Millie and Tim move from the metropolis to the rural area for Millie’s job. A commonly used narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the conventions cease. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the two tumble into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence takes hold of the duo. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The whole movie is a slow burn horror experience, interspersing bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and delivers them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and far away from his network of friends. He fears the concept of completely losing his sense of self in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together refrains from painting Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
The couple face the type of challenges that arise in most partnerships a decade in. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the allegory does not come across as clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for staying single. On the other hand, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could act as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply look at your significant other and say, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can experience today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu now.