We present a test for partners in committed relationships who are fans of the horror genre: Sit down with your partner and view Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. On the surface, it could look like standard body horror, but inside Together lies a intense examination about our choices in loving one another.
An Introductory Film Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have been together for over ten years. Married in reality in 2017, the actors contribute a special spark to their roles, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The story commences when Tim and Millie move from the urban environment to the countryside for her career. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, of course, but that’s mostly where the conventions conclude. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the two tumble into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a strange force begins influencing the couple. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The whole movie is a methodically building of scares, interspersing moments of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but never too gross) body horror, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and wraps them up in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is only the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is suffering due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and far away from his network of friends. He is terrified of the notion of totally forfeiting his sense of self in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in Together never makes Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
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 open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism never feels hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a powerful case for staying single. Conversely, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your partner and state, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
