Consider this a dare for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your significant other and stream Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its online premiere on Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like typical body horror, but beneath Together exists a intense meditation about our choices in loving each other.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together is the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a special spark to their roles, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The plot commences when Tim and Millie relocate from the urban environment to the country for her career. A somewhat stereotypical story element, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the cliches end. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim fall into an underground cave. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a strange force takes hold of the couple. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The whole movie is a methodically building fright fest, blending bits of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but tastefully done) body horror, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). The director skillfully blends these components neatly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and far away from his social circle. He dreads the idea of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is intensified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in Together never makes Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
The couple confront the sort of issues that are inherent in most partnerships a decade in. At their core, they have affection for one another. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to another person, the allegory does not come across as hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could act as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the finale inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your other half and utter, “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 as of this moment.
