Here's a test for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate the horror genre: Sit down with your significant other and view Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its streaming debut on Hulu. Outwardly, it may seem like conventional body horror, but within Together resides a profound examination about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the actors infuse a particular energy to their characters, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The narrative starts when the couple move from the metropolis to the countryside for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s largely where the cliches end. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their new home, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim tumble into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the duo. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The entire film is a slow burn fright fest, blending bits of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and presents them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and distant from his support system. He is terrified of the notion of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is amplified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in Together never makes Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie grapple with the kind of problems that arise in long-term unions over a long period. Fundamentally, they still love one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these fears of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the symbolism never feels hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. It has been said that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a powerful case for remaining unattached. On the other hand, some couples who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could function as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply turn to your partner and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can experience at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu at present.
