Here's a dare for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its online premiere on Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like typical physical horror, but inside Together lies a intense examination about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together represents the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for a decade. Having wed in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a special spark to their characters, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The plot begins when the couple transition from the urban environment to the country for her career. A commonly used story element, of course, but that’s largely where the tropes end. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their new home, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim discover an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence starts to affect the couple. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying fright fest, weaving in elements of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). The director orchestrates these parts neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they masterfully render countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and distant from his support system. He dreads the idea of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is amplified by the reality he can’t drive and needs Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together avoids making either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie face the sort of issues that come with any relationship after ten years. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory does not come across as hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama work together in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your other half and state, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can undertake today.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
