Consider this a test for partners in committed relationships who are fans of scary movies: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit recently had its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it may seem like typical body horror, but inside Together lies a deep meditation about how we choose to love one another.
A Debut Feature Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, the actors contribute a special spark to their roles, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The story starts when the couple move from the metropolis to the country for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, sure, but that’s mostly where the cliches cease. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their country house, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim discover an underground cave. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the pair. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying horror experience, blending moments of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and presents them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is suffering due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his floundering music career inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and distant from his social circle. He dreads the concept of completely losing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie never makes Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in most partnerships a decade in. Fundamentally, they have affection for each other. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these fears of codependency and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the allegory does not come across as clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that single viewers have interpreted the film as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could function as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending sow anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your partner and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can experience at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu now.
