We present a dare for partners in committed relationships who are fans of the horror genre: Sit down with your partner and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its streaming debut via Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like typical body horror, but beneath Together exists a profound examination about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together represents the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for a decade. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a unique chemistry to their roles, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The story begins when Millie and Tim relocate from the urban environment to the country for her career. A commonly used plot device, of course, but that’s primarily where the tropes cease. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim tumble into an underground cave. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a strange force takes hold of the pair. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The complete narrative is a methodically building horror experience, weaving in bits of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes during something horrific). The director skillfully blends these components expertly and wraps them up in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the concept of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together refrains from painting one partner or the other the obvious villain.
The couple face the kind of problems that come with any relationship a decade in. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor avoids being clumsy or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that single viewers have understood the narrative as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Conversely, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could function as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the finale inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your significant other and say, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
