Here's a dare for partners in committed relationships who appreciate scary movies: Get comfortable with your significant other and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its streaming debut via Hulu. At first glance, it could look like typical body horror, but within Together exists a intense contemplation about our choices in loving each other.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together is 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 stayed together for ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a particular energy to their characters, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The story begins when the couple transition from the big city to the countryside for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s primarily where the conventions conclude. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim tumble into an underground cave. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence starts to affect the pair. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a methodically building fright fest, weaving in moments of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but never too gross) body horror, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and presents them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and removed from his support system. He is terrified of the concept of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he can’t drive and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together refrains from painting Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Both characters confront the sort of issues that come with any relationship over a long period. At their core, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor never feels clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that single viewers have seen the movie as a compelling reason for staying single. Meanwhile, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could act as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion sow anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your partner and say, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can experience right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu now.
