We present a challenge for partners in committed relationships who appreciate horror films: Sit down with your significant other and view Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its online premiere on the Hulu service. At first glance, it might appear like typical physical horror, but beneath Together exists a profound examination about how we choose to love each other.
A Debut Feature Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for over ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a particular energy to their roles, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The plot begins when Millie and Tim move from the urban environment to the rural area for Millie’s job. A commonly used plot device, sure, but that’s primarily where the tropes cease. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim tumble into an underground cave. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity takes hold of the pair. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a slow burn fright fest, blending elements of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but never too gross) physical transformations, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and delivers them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and distant from his social circle. He is terrified of the notion of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he can’t drive and needs Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together never makes Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
The couple grapple with the type of challenges that come with any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these concerns of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to another person, the metaphor avoids being clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights serve the other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for staying single. Conversely, some couples having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply look at your other half and utter, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
