Here's a challenge for partners in committed relationships who enjoy horror films: Settle in with your significant other and stream Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its streaming debut via Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like conventional body horror, but beneath Together exists a profound contemplation about our choices in loving one another.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together represents the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for over ten years. Married in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a unique chemistry to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The narrative begins when Tim and Millie transition from the urban environment to the countryside for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, sure, but that’s primarily where the conventions end. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the two discover an underground cave. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a strange force starts to affect the couple. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a slow burn fright fest, weaving in bits of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes during something horrific). The director skillfully blends these components neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his floundering music career inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and removed from his support system. He dreads the notion of completely losing his individual identity in another person. This fear is amplified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision is that he avoids making either of his characters the obvious villain.
Both characters confront the sort of issues that arise in any relationship a decade in. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They still laugh together, offer support, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these anxieties of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory never feels clumsy or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights serve the other symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a compelling reason for staying single. Meanwhile, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could act as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply turn to your partner and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can embark on today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
