Here's a dare for partners in committed relationships who are fans of horror films: Settle in with your loved one and view Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its online premiere on Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like conventional body horror, but inside Together resides a deep examination about our choices in loving our partners.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for ten years. Married in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a special spark to their roles, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The story begins when the couple move from the big city to the country for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, sure, but that’s largely where the conventions cease. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists fall into an underground cave. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a strange force begins influencing the pair. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The whole movie is a slow burn of scares, interspersing moments of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but never too gross) body horror, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and far away from his network of friends. He is terrified of the notion of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is intensified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he refrains from painting either of his characters the obvious villain.
The couple grapple with the sort of issues that arise in any relationship after ten years. Deep down, they still love each other. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of codependency and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the allegory does not come across as overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights serve the other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could act as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the finale sow anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply turn to your partner and state, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can embark on today.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
