Consider this a test for long-term couples who enjoy scary movies: Get comfortable with your significant other and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like typical body horror, but inside Together exists a intense meditation about our choices in loving our partners.
A Directorial Debut Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together marks the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for a decade. Married in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a unique chemistry to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The narrative begins when Millie and Tim move from the big city to the countryside for Millie’s job. A familiar story element, sure, but that’s primarily where the tropes end. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the two tumble into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a strange force starts to affect the duo. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The entire film is a slow burn of scares, weaving in elements of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes during something horrific). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and delivers them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is only the two lead actors, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the notion of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he can’t drive and relies on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he never makes one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Both characters grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship after ten years. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of codependency and totally devoting oneself to another person, the symbolism avoids being overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. On the other hand, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could act as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the finale plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply look at your significant other and say, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu now.
