We present a dare for partners in committed relationships who enjoy the horror genre: Get comfortable with your loved one and view Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. At first glance, it might appear like typical body horror, but beneath Together lies a deep contemplation about how we choose to love each other.
A Debut Feature Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for over ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a unique chemistry to their roles, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The narrative begins when Millie and Tim transition from the urban environment to the country for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical story element, of course, but that’s primarily where the cliches conclude. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim discover an underground cave. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a strange force begins influencing the duo. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The entire film is a methodically building fright fest, weaving in moments of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and presents them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and distant from his social circle. He fears the notion of completely losing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is intensified by the fact he can’t drive and relies on Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie refrains from painting Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Both characters face the kind of problems that are inherent in any relationship after ten years. Deep down, they continue to care for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that single viewers have understood the narrative as a powerful case for remaining unattached. On the other hand, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your partner and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can undertake today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
