We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your significant other and view Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its online premiere on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it could look like standard body horror, but inside Together lies a deep contemplation about how we choose to love one another.
An Introductory Film Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for a decade. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the actors infuse a particular energy to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The plot commences when Millie and Tim move from the urban environment to the countryside for professional reasons. A commonly used narrative setup, sure, but that’s mostly where the cliches conclude. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the two fall into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a strange force takes hold of the couple. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a methodically building fright fest, weaving in moments of dreamlike terrors, gross (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes during something horrific). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and distant from his social circle. He is terrified of the notion of completely losing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision is that he never makes one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie grapple with the sort of issues that arise in most partnerships over a long period. Fundamentally, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these fears of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the allegory never feels hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Conversely, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could act as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the finale inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply look at your significant other and say, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can experience at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu as of this moment.
