Here's a dare for partners in committed relationships who enjoy scary movies: Settle in with your significant other and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like standard physical horror, but inside Together exists a profound meditation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together is the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have remained a couple for a decade. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a special spark to their roles, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The story begins when Millie and Tim transition from the urban environment to the country for Millie’s job. A commonly used narrative setup, of course, but that’s primarily where the tropes cease. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim tumble into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the pair. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a slow burn horror experience, weaving in bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but never too gross) body horror, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and delivers them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and far away from his social circle. He dreads the idea of completely losing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is amplified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together refrains from painting Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie grapple with the kind of problems that arise in most partnerships after ten years. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a powerful case for remaining unattached. On the other hand, some couples having disagreements found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could function as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the ending plant anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply turn to your other half and state, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can embark on today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
