We present a dare for long-term couples who appreciate the horror genre: Sit down with your partner and stream Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its online premiere via Hulu. On the surface, it could look like typical body horror, but inside Together exists a profound contemplation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Debut Feature Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for a decade. Having wed in reality in 2017, the two stars contribute a unique chemistry to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The narrative begins when Tim and Millie transition from the metropolis to the country for her career. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s largely where the conventions end. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim tumble into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity starts to affect the duo. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The entire film is a methodically building horror experience, interspersing bits of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but never too gross) body horror, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes amidst something horrific). Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and presents them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and removed from his support system. He fears the concept of completely losing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is intensified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes either of his characters the obvious villain.
The couple grapple with the sort of issues that arise in long-term unions after ten years. Fundamentally, they still love one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Conversely, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your partner and utter, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform at present.
