We present a dare for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy the horror genre: Settle in with your significant other and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its streaming debut on Hulu. At first glance, it could look like standard physical horror, but beneath Together exists a profound examination about our choices in loving our partners.
A Debut Feature Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have been together for ten years. Married in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a unique chemistry to their roles, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The plot starts when Millie and Tim transition from the urban environment to the country for professional reasons. A commonly used narrative setup, sure, but that’s largely where the tropes cease. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim tumble into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity takes hold of the couple. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past simple connection.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying fright fest, interspersing bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes amidst something horrific). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and delivers them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and distant from his support system. He fears the notion of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie avoids making either of his characters the definite antagonist.
The couple confront the type of challenges that arise in most partnerships over a long period. At their core, they still love one another. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these fears of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism avoids being overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that single viewers have seen the movie as a strong argument for remaining unattached. On the other hand, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your other half and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can experience at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
