Here's a dare for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of scary movies: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it may seem like standard body horror, but inside Together exists a intense meditation about our choices in loving our partners.
A Debut Feature Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars bring a particular energy to their roles, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The plot commences when Millie and Tim transition from the urban environment to the country for her career. A commonly used plot device, sure, but that’s primarily where the cliches conclude. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their new home, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a strange force takes hold of the couple. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past simple connection.
The entire film is a methodically building of scares, interspersing bits of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but never too gross) body horror, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes amidst something horrific). Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and presents them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they masterfully render countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and far away from his support system. He fears the concept of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is intensified by the reality he can’t drive and needs Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in Together never makes Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
The couple face the type of challenges that are inherent in long-term unions over a long period. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the metaphor avoids being overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a powerful case for staying single. On the other hand, some couples having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion sow 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, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can experience right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
