We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy the horror genre: Get comfortable with your partner and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere via Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like conventional body horror, but within Together resides a profound examination about our choices in loving each other.
A Debut Feature Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars 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. Having wed in reality in 2017, the two stars infuse a particular energy to their characters, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The plot commences when Tim and Millie move from the urban environment to the countryside for her career. A familiar story element, sure, but that’s largely where the cliches end. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists fall into an underground cave. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity starts to affect the couple. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The entire film is a slow burn horror experience, interspersing elements of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) body horror, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes during something disturbing). Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and delivers them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and far away from his support system. He dreads the notion of totally forfeiting his sense of self in another person. This fear is amplified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie grapple with the kind of problems that are inherent in any relationship over a long period. Fundamentally, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these fears of excessive reliance and fully committing to another person, the allegory never feels overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights serve the other symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that single viewers have seen the movie as a powerful case for staying single. Conversely, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could function as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion plant anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your significant other and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
