Consider this a dare for partners in committed relationships who appreciate scary movies: Sit down with your significant other and stream Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its online premiere via Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like standard body horror, but beneath Together resides a profound contemplation about our choices in loving one another.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a special spark to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The plot begins when Tim and Millie move from the urban environment to the countryside for her career. A somewhat stereotypical story element, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the tropes conclude. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their new home, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim tumble into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence begins influencing the pair. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past simple connection.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying of scares, weaving in elements of dreamlike terrors, gross (but never too gross) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and delivers them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is only the two lead actors, and they masterfully render countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and distant from his network of friends. He dreads the concept of completely losing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision is that he never makes one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Both characters confront the type of challenges that come with most partnerships a decade in. Fundamentally, they still love one another. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism never feels overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a powerful case for staying single. On the other hand, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could act as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the ending sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply turn to your other half and utter, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can experience today.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
