Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy horror films: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its online premiere on the Hulu service. On the surface, it could look like typical body horror, but beneath Together resides a intense contemplation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Debut Feature Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together is the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for a decade. Married in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a special spark to their roles, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The plot starts when Millie and Tim relocate from the metropolis to the country for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, admittedly, but that’s largely where the conventions conclude. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their new home, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim tumble into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence begins influencing the duo. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a slow burn horror experience, blending bits of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but never too gross) physical transformations, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes during something disturbing). The director orchestrates these parts neatly and wraps them up in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is only the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and removed from his support system. He dreads the notion of completely losing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is amplified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he refrains from painting either of his characters the obvious villain.
The couple grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in long-term unions a decade in. Fundamentally, they have affection for each other. They find humor with each other, offer support, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of excessive reliance and fully committing to another person, the allegory avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could function as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply look at your partner and say, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
