Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy the horror genre: Settle in with your partner and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere on the Hulu service. At first glance, it may seem like conventional body horror, but beneath Together lies a profound contemplation about our choices in loving each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for over ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a particular energy to their characters, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The narrative begins when Tim and Millie relocate from the urban environment to the countryside for Millie’s job. A commonly used narrative setup, sure, but that’s largely where the conventions end. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their country house, a tempest descends, and the protagonists tumble into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity takes hold of the pair. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past simple connection.
The entire film is a methodically building of scares, weaving in moments of dreamlike terrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes during something horrific). The director skillfully blends these components expertly and wraps them up in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and distant from his network of friends. He fears the concept of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie refrains from painting one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie grapple with the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships over a long period. At their core, they have affection 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 future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor never feels overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that single viewers have seen the movie as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your other half and say, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can experience today.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu at present.
