Here's a test for long-term couples who are fans of horror films: Settle in with your partner and stream Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its online premiere on Hulu. Outwardly, it may seem like typical body horror, but beneath Together lies a intense contemplation about how we choose to love each other.
A Debut Feature Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together marks the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for over ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the actors contribute a particular energy to their roles, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The narrative begins when Tim and Millie move from the big city to the rural area for her career. A commonly used plot device, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the tropes conclude. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their country house, a storm hits, and the two fall into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a strange force takes hold of the couple. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying fright fest, weaving in bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and presents them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and distant from his network of friends. He dreads the concept of totally forfeiting his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie never makes either of his characters the obvious villain.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that are inherent in any relationship over a long period. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these fears of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism avoids being clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal work together symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided 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, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply turn to 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 available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
