Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your significant other and view Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its online premiere on Hulu. At first glance, it could look like typical body horror, but within Together exists a profound contemplation about our choices in loving each other.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together represents the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, the two stars infuse a unique chemistry to their characters, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The story starts when Millie and Tim move from the big city to the rural area for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, sure, but that’s mostly where the cliches conclude. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim discover an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence begins influencing the pair. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a slow burn fright fest, interspersing bits of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes during something grotesque). Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and delivers them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and removed from his support system. He is terrified of the notion of completely losing his sense of self in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie face the sort of issues that come with any relationship over a long period. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that single viewers have understood the narrative as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Conversely, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could act as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the ending sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your partner and state, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can undertake today.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
