Here's a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate horror films: Get comfortable with your loved one and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its online premiere on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it could look like standard biological terror, but within Together resides a deep contemplation about how we choose to love each other.
A Debut Feature Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together is the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have been together for ten years. Married in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The plot commences when Millie and Tim relocate from the big city to the country for her career. A familiar story element, of course, but that’s primarily where the conventions end. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the two fall into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a strange force takes hold of the couple. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a methodically building horror experience, interspersing elements of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and wraps them up in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is suffering due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and removed from his social circle. He is terrified of the concept of completely losing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is intensified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he refrains from painting one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
The couple confront the kind of problems that are inherent in long-term unions after ten years. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these anxieties of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama serve the other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. On the other hand, some couples having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could potentially serve as a telling indicator 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 either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your other half and say, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can undertake right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform at present.
