We present a dare for partners in committed relationships who appreciate horror films: Settle in with your partner and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it could look like conventional body horror, but beneath Together resides a profound examination about how we choose to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together is the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a particular energy to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The plot starts when Millie and Tim transition from the big city to the country for Millie’s job. A familiar plot device, admittedly, but that’s largely where the conventions end. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists discover an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity starts to affect the pair. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying of scares, interspersing bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and presents them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and distant from his support system. He dreads the concept of totally forfeiting his sense of self in another person. This fear is amplified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he never makes Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie face the sort of issues that come with most partnerships over a long period. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism never feels hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Conversely, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply look at your significant other and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
