Consider this a challenge for long-term couples who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your significant other and view Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its streaming debut via Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like typical physical horror, but beneath Together exists a intense contemplation about how we choose to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together is the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for a decade. Married in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a particular energy to their characters, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The story starts when Tim and Millie relocate from the metropolis to the country for Millie’s job. A commonly used story element, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the cliches end. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists tumble into an underground cave. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence starts to affect the couple. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a methodically building fright fest, weaving in moments of dreamlike terrors, gross (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is suffering due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and distant from his network of friends. He fears the idea of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is amplified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision is that he refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters confront the kind of problems that come with any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of excessive reliance and fully committing to another person, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Conversely, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could act as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the ending sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply look at your partner and state, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu now.
