Consider this a challenge for partners in committed relationships who enjoy horror films: Get comfortable with your partner and view Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its online premiere on Hulu. On the surface, it could look like conventional body horror, but beneath Together exists a deep meditation about how we choose to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have stayed together for ten years. Married in real life in 2017, the actors bring a unique chemistry to their roles, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The story commences when Tim and Millie relocate from the metropolis to the rural area for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s primarily where the cliches cease. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their new home, a storm hits, and the two fall into an underground cave. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the couple. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The entire film is a slow burn fright fest, interspersing elements of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). The director weaves these elements together neatly and delivers them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and distant from his support system. He dreads the idea of totally forfeiting his sense of self in his partner. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he can’t drive and needs Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision is that he avoids making Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
The couple face the type of challenges that are inherent in long-term unions after ten years. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these anxieties of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as clumsy or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama work together in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that single viewers have seen the movie as a compelling reason for staying single. On the other hand, 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 potentially serve as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your partner and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can embark on right now.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu now.
