Consider this a dare for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate the horror genre: Settle in with your partner and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit recently had its streaming debut on Hulu. At first glance, it could look like standard body horror, but within Together exists a deep examination about our choices in loving our partners.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together is the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a unique chemistry to their characters, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The narrative commences when Millie and Tim relocate from the big city to the country for Millie’s job. A commonly used narrative setup, sure, but that’s primarily where the cliches end. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their new home, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a strange force begins influencing the duo. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a slow burn fright fest, interspersing moments of fever-dream horrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes amidst something horrific). The director weaves these elements together expertly and delivers them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is waning due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his floundering music career inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and removed from his support system. He fears the idea of completely losing his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he can’t drive and needs Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters confront the sort of issues that come with long-term unions over a long period. Deep down, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, offer support, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism never feels clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a strong argument for staying single. Meanwhile, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could function as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply look at your other half and say, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can undertake right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
