Here's a challenge for partners in committed relationships who enjoy the horror genre: Get comfortable with your partner and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its online premiere via Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like typical physical horror, but within Together exists a intense examination about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for over ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a special spark to their roles, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The plot starts when the couple relocate from the metropolis to the country for professional reasons. A commonly used story element, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the cliches end. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the two fall into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity begins influencing the pair. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a methodically building horror experience, blending bits of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but tastefully done) body horror, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes during something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and presents them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and far away from his support system. He fears the idea of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision is that he never makes one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
The couple grapple with the kind of problems that are inherent in any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these fears of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to another person, the allegory never feels hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama work together in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Conversely, some couples having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could act as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply look at your significant other and state, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can experience at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu now.
