Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your loved one and view Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. At first glance, it could look like typical physical horror, but within Together lies a deep meditation about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Debut Feature Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together is the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for over ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the two stars infuse a particular energy to their characters, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The story begins when Millie and Tim transition from the urban environment to the countryside for professional reasons. A commonly used narrative setup, sure, but that’s largely where the tropes end. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the two fall into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity starts to affect the duo. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The entire film is a slow burn horror experience, interspersing bits of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes during something disturbing). Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the notion of completely losing his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is amplified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie refrains from painting Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
The couple confront the type of challenges that are inherent in long-term unions a decade in. At their core, they still love one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these fears of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to another person, the allegory does not come across as hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have seen the movie as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Conversely, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your other half and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu as of this moment.
