We present a challenge for long-term couples who enjoy scary movies: Sit down with your significant other and view Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it could look like typical body horror, but inside Together exists a profound contemplation about our choices in loving each other.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the actors contribute a unique chemistry to their characters, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The story commences when Millie and Tim move from the metropolis to the country for her career. A commonly used plot device, sure, but that’s largely where the conventions end. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists tumble into an underground cave. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the pair. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a slow burn fright fest, weaving in moments of fever-dream horrors, gross (but never too gross) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes amidst something horrific). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and delivers them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and distant from his social circle. He is terrified of the idea of completely losing his sense of self in another person. This fear is intensified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting either of his characters the obvious villain.
The couple grapple with the sort of issues that come with any relationship after ten years. Deep down, 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 persistent feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these fears of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor never feels hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a strong argument for staying single. Conversely, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could act as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply look at your partner and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu now.
