Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of horror films: Get comfortable with your loved one and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its online premiere on Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like typical body horror, but beneath Together exists a intense meditation about the ways we decide to love one another.
An Introductory Film Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the two stars infuse a unique chemistry to their characters, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The narrative commences when Tim and Millie move from the urban environment to the country for her career. A commonly used story element, of course, but that’s primarily where the conventions end. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their country house, a tempest descends, and the two tumble into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity starts to affect the duo. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past simple connection.
The entire film is a methodically building horror experience, interspersing moments of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes during something disturbing). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and presents them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is only the two lead actors, and they masterfully render countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and distant from his network of friends. He dreads the notion of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in another person. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he can’t drive and relies on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that come with most partnerships over a long period. Fundamentally, they still love one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights work together in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Conversely, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the finale inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply turn to your other half and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu at present.
