Consider this a challenge for long-term couples who appreciate the horror genre: Settle in with your loved one and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere on Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like standard body horror, but inside Together resides a profound meditation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Investigating The Nuances of Love
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, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The narrative commences when Tim and Millie transition from the metropolis to the rural area for her career. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, of course, but that’s primarily where the conventions conclude. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim discover an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity takes hold of the couple. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn of scares, blending bits of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but never too gross) body horror, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes amidst something disturbing). The director weaves these elements together seamlessly and presents them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. 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 feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and far away from his network of friends. He fears the concept of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that come with long-term unions after ten years. At their core, they still love each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism never feels overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your other half and state, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
