Consider this a test for long-term couples who enjoy horror films: Sit down with your partner and view Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its online premiere on the Hulu service. At first glance, it could look like typical body horror, but within Together resides a profound examination about how we choose to love one another.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, partners that have stayed together for ten years. Married in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a unique chemistry to their characters, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The narrative starts when the couple relocate from the big city to the countryside for professional reasons. A familiar plot device, sure, but that’s primarily where the conventions cease. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the protagonists tumble into an underground cave. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity takes hold of the duo. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a slow burn fright fest, blending moments of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes during something grotesque). Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is only the two lead actors, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and distant from his social circle. He dreads the idea of totally forfeiting his sense of self in another person. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie refrains from painting one partner or the other the obvious villain.
The couple confront the sort of issues that come with long-term unions after ten years. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these fears of codependency and fully committing to another person, the symbolism never feels hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a strong argument for staying single. Conversely, some couples having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could act as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the finale sow anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your significant other and say, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
