Consider this a dare for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of scary movies: Get comfortable with your significant other and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 has now made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like conventional body horror, but beneath Together lies a profound examination about the ways we decide to love each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for a decade. Married in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a unique chemistry to their roles, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The story commences when Tim and Millie transition from the big city to the rural area for her career. A commonly used narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the cliches cease. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists fall into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a strange force takes hold of the pair. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a slow burn of scares, weaving in moments of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes during something disturbing). Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the idea of totally forfeiting his sense of self in another person. This fear is intensified by the fact he can’t drive and needs Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he never makes either of his characters the obvious villain.
Both characters confront the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship a decade in. At their core, they still love each other. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor avoids being hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. It has been said that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, some couples having disagreements found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could act as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply look at your significant other and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can undertake today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu at present.
