Here's a dare for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate the horror genre: Get comfortable with your loved one and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it may seem like typical body horror, but beneath Together lies a profound examination about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Exploring 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 a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for a decade. United in marriage in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a special spark to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The plot begins when Tim and Millie move from the big city to the rural area for her career. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, of course, but that’s largely where the cliches conclude. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the two tumble into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a strange force starts to affect the couple. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a methodically building fright fest, interspersing bits of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes during something horrific). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and presents them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and distant from his social circle. He dreads the concept of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he can’t drive and relies on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie refrains from painting one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Both characters face the sort of issues that are inherent in long-term unions a decade in. At their core, they still love each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of codependency and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the symbolism avoids being clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Conversely, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could act as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale inspire anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply turn to your partner and state, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can experience right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform at present.
