Consider this a test for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy horror films: Settle in with your significant other and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its online premiere on the Hulu service. At first glance, it may seem like standard physical horror, but within Together exists a deep examination about our choices in loving our partners.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a particular energy to their characters, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The narrative commences when the couple relocate from the urban environment to the country for professional reasons. A commonly used narrative setup, of course, but that’s largely where the conventions end. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the two fall into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity takes hold of the pair. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying horror experience, interspersing moments of dreamlike terrors, gross (but tastefully done) body horror, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes amidst something grotesque). The director orchestrates these parts seamlessly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and removed from his network of friends. He dreads the concept of completely losing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is amplified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie avoids making either of his characters the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in most partnerships a decade in. Fundamentally, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor avoids being clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could act as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply look at your other half and state, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can experience today.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu at present.
