Consider this a test for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy horror films: Get comfortable with your significant other and stream Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its online premiere via Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like standard body horror, but within Together resides a deep contemplation about our choices in loving each other.
A Debut Feature Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together marks the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a unique chemistry to their roles, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The plot commences when Tim and Millie move from the metropolis to the country for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, of course, but that’s largely where the conventions cease. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists fall into an underground cave. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence begins influencing the duo. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying fright fest, blending bits of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and delivers them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and distant from his network of friends. He dreads the notion of completely losing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together refrains from painting either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Both characters confront the type of challenges that come with long-term unions a decade in. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the allegory never feels overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama serve the other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that single viewers have seen the movie as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the finale sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply look at your partner and say, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can undertake right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu at present.
