We present a challenge for partners in committed relationships who appreciate the horror genre: Get comfortable with your loved one and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. At first glance, it could look like typical biological terror, but beneath Together exists a profound examination about our choices in loving one another.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have stayed together for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a unique chemistry to their roles, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The story starts when Tim and Millie transition from the big city to the country for professional reasons. A commonly used plot device, of course, but that’s mostly where the cliches end. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their new home, a storm hits, and the two discover an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence takes hold of the pair. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a slow burn of scares, weaving in bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and presents them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and removed from his support system. He dreads the idea of completely losing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision is that he refrains from painting one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that arise in most partnerships over a long period. At their core, they still love one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a strong argument for staying single. On the other hand, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could act as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending inspire anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your other half and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can embark on today.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
