Consider this a test for long-term couples who are fans of scary movies: Settle in with your significant other and stream Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its streaming debut on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it could look like typical body horror, but beneath Together lies a profound examination about the ways we decide to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for ten years. Married in real life in 2017, the actors bring a special spark to their roles, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The plot starts when Tim and Millie relocate from the big city to the countryside for her career. A familiar plot device, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the cliches end. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim tumble into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity takes hold of the pair. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying of scares, interspersing bits of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes during something horrific). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and delivers them in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and removed from his social circle. He is terrified of the idea of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he never makes Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in long-term unions a decade in. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these concerns of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to another person, the allegory never feels hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Conversely, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the finale inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your other half and utter, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is streaming on Hulu as of this moment.
