Consider this a challenge for long-term couples who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your partner and stream Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like typical body horror, but inside Together exists a profound contemplation about how we choose to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for a decade. United in marriage in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a unique chemistry to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The story begins when Tim and Millie transition from the big city to the rural area for her career. A commonly used story element, sure, but that’s largely where the conventions cease. Together evolves 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 Millie and Tim tumble into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence takes hold of the couple. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The whole movie is a slow burn of scares, weaving in elements of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but never too gross) physical transformations, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is solely 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 feeling of intimacy is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and distant from his network of friends. He fears the idea of totally forfeiting his individual identity in another person. This fear is intensified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie avoids making one partner or the other the obvious villain.
The couple face the type of challenges that arise in any relationship over a long period. Fundamentally, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these fears of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor never feels clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that single viewers have seen the movie as a powerful case for staying single. Conversely, some couples having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could act as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the finale plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply look at your partner and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu at present.
