Here's a dare for long-term couples who enjoy scary movies: Settle in with your loved one and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its streaming debut on Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like conventional body horror, but within Together resides a profound contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
An Introductory Film Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together marks the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for over ten years. Married in real life in 2017, the two stars bring a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The narrative starts when Millie and Tim relocate from the urban environment to the country for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical story element, of course, but that’s primarily where the conventions cease. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the protagonists tumble into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity takes hold of the duo. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying horror experience, blending bits of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and wraps them up in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and removed from his support system. He is terrified of the concept of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is intensified by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Both characters confront the type of challenges that come with most partnerships over a long period. At their core, they still love one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory never feels clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have seen the movie as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could function as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your partner and state, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can experience today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu at present.
