Here's a dare for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate horror films: Sit down with your partner and view Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like conventional body horror, but beneath Together resides a profound examination about how we choose to love one another.
An Introductory Film Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for over ten years. Married in reality in 2017, the two stars infuse a special spark to their roles, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The narrative commences when Millie and Tim move from the metropolis to the countryside for her career. A familiar story element, of course, but that’s mostly 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.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence takes hold of the couple. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying of scares, interspersing moments of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and presents them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is only the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and removed from his social circle. He is terrified of the idea of totally forfeiting his individual identity in another person. This fear is intensified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together refrains from painting Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Both characters face the sort of issues that come with most partnerships over a long period. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these fears of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory avoids being overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could act as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply turn to your significant other and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu now.
