Here's a dare for long-term couples who enjoy horror films: Sit down with your significant other and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like standard body horror, but beneath Together resides a profound contemplation about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Debut Feature Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have been together for a decade. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the two stars contribute a unique chemistry to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The narrative begins when Tim and Millie move from the urban environment to the countryside for Millie’s job. A commonly used story element, of course, but that’s mostly where the conventions cease. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their new home, a storm hits, and the two discover an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a strange force takes hold of the couple. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying of scares, interspersing elements of dreamlike terrors, gross (but tastefully done) body horror, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and presents them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and removed from his social circle. He fears the notion of completely losing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in Together refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
The couple face the kind of problems that arise in long-term unions over a long period. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They find humor with each other, offer support, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these concerns of codependency and fully committing to another person, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a strong argument for remaining unattached. On the other hand, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could act as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the ending sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your significant other and say, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can embark on right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu at present.
