Consider this a challenge for partners in committed relationships who appreciate scary movies: Settle in with your partner and stream Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its online premiere on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it could look like typical body horror, but inside Together lies a deep contemplation about how we choose to love one another.
A Debut Feature Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for over ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a special spark to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when Millie and Tim relocate from the urban environment to the rural area for Millie’s job. A commonly used story element, sure, but that’s primarily where the conventions cease. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their country house, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim fall into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a strange force begins influencing the pair. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The whole movie is a methodically building fright fest, interspersing bits of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but tastefully done) body horror, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes during something horrific). The director skillfully blends these components seamlessly and presents them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is only the two lead actors, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and far away from his support system. He fears the idea of completely losing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is amplified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together avoids making either of his characters the clear bad guy.
The couple face the kind of problems that come with long-term unions a decade in. At their core, they have affection for one another. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these anxieties of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify 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 exploration you can embark on today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
