We present a dare for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your loved one and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its online premiere on Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like conventional body horror, but inside Together lies a profound meditation about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together represents the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a particular energy to their roles, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The plot commences when Tim and Millie relocate from the big city to the countryside for her career. A commonly used plot device, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the tropes conclude. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the two tumble into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity starts to affect the couple. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a methodically building fright fest, blending moments of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is only the two lead actors, and they deftly portray countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and distant from his social circle. He fears the concept of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is amplified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision is that he avoids making one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie face the sort of issues that come with most partnerships a decade in. At their core, they still love one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these fears of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism never feels overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Conversely, certain partners having disagreements found that the film actually helped them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could function as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your other half and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can embark on today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
