Here's a test for partners in committed relationships who enjoy horror films: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its online premiere on Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like standard body horror, but beneath Together lies a deep examination about the ways we decide to love each other.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have been together for a decade. Married in real life in 2017, the two stars bring a particular energy to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The story commences when Tim and Millie relocate from the metropolis to the countryside for her career. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the cliches cease. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their new home, a storm hits, and the protagonists tumble into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity starts to affect the duo. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a methodically building fright fest, interspersing moments of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes amidst something disturbing). The director weaves these elements together expertly and delivers them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his floundering music career inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and distant from his network of friends. He fears the concept of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in another person. This fear is intensified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision is that he never makes either of his characters the obvious villain.
The couple face the sort of issues that come with any relationship over a long period. Fundamentally, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these fears of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a strong argument for staying single. Meanwhile, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your partner and say, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform at present.
