Here's a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy scary movies: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. Outwardly, it may seem like standard body horror, but within Together lies a deep meditation about how we choose to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together represents the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have been together for a decade. Married in reality in 2017, the two stars infuse a special spark to their characters, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The narrative starts when Millie and Tim move from the big city to the rural area for Millie’s job. A commonly used story element, admittedly, but that’s largely where the conventions end. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists tumble into an underground cave. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence begins influencing the couple. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, blending moments of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but never too gross) physical transformations, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and presents them in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and distant from his social circle. He fears the concept of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together refrains from painting one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie grapple with the kind of problems that arise in any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these anxieties of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism never feels clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama serve the other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. On the other hand, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could function as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply look at your partner and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can experience right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
