Here's a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate the horror genre: Settle in with your loved one and stream Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. At first glance, it might appear like conventional body horror, but inside Together resides a profound contemplation about how we choose to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together is the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for a decade. Married in actuality in 2017, the two stars infuse a unique chemistry to their roles, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The story begins when Millie and Tim relocate from the urban environment to the rural area for professional reasons. A commonly used narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the tropes conclude. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the two fall into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity takes hold of the pair. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a slow burn horror experience, weaving in elements of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but never too gross) physical transformations, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and distant from his support system. He is terrified of the idea of completely losing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie never makes either of his characters the clear bad guy.
The couple confront the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships over a long period. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism avoids being overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a powerful case for staying single. Meanwhile, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the finale inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your other half and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
