Here's a challenge for partners in committed relationships who are fans of the horror genre: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. At first glance, it might appear like standard body horror, but within Together resides a profound contemplation about how we choose to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a unique chemistry to their characters, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The narrative commences when the couple transition from the urban environment to the countryside for professional reasons. A commonly used plot device, of course, but that’s mostly where the cliches cease. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the two discover an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence starts to affect the duo. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying horror experience, blending moments of fever-dream horrors, gross (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and wraps them up in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and distant from his support system. He fears the notion of completely losing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes either of his characters the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie grapple with the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships over a long period. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these anxieties of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor avoids being clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that single viewers have understood the narrative as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Conversely, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could function as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale plant anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply look at your significant other and state, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can experience at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu as of this moment.
