We present a challenge for partners in committed relationships who are fans of the horror genre: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its streaming debut on Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like standard body horror, but beneath Together lies a deep meditation about how we choose to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together represents the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for a decade. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the actors infuse a unique chemistry to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The story commences when the couple transition from the big city to the countryside for her career. A familiar plot device, of course, but that’s largely where the tropes cease. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the protagonists tumble into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity starts to affect the pair. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying horror experience, weaving in elements of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) body horror, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and removed from his support system. He is terrified of the concept of completely losing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie never makes either of his characters the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that come with most partnerships over a long period. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism never feels hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal work together symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, some couples having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could act as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply look at your partner and state, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can embark on right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
