Here's a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of the horror genre: Settle in with your partner and view Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like typical physical horror, but within Together resides a deep contemplation about how we choose to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars contribute a unique chemistry to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The story starts when Tim and Millie move from the urban environment to the countryside for Millie’s job. A commonly used story element, admittedly, but that’s largely where the cliches cease. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the two discover an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence begins influencing the pair. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The entire film is a slow burn of scares, interspersing elements of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but never too gross) body horror, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes amidst something grotesque). The director orchestrates these parts neatly and delivers them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and far away from his network of friends. 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 relies on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie never makes Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
The couple confront the type of challenges that come with most partnerships a decade in. Deep down, they still love one another. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to another person, the symbolism does not come across as overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a powerful case for staying single. Conversely, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply look at your significant other and utter, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can experience right now.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
