Consider this a test for long-term couples who are fans of horror films: Settle in with your significant other and view Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its online premiere on the Hulu service. At first glance, it may seem like typical body horror, but inside Together exists a intense examination about how we choose to love each other.
A Debut Feature Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for over ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, the two stars infuse a particular energy to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The plot starts when Millie and Tim relocate from the metropolis to the country for Millie’s job. A commonly used narrative setup, of course, but that’s largely where the conventions end. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the protagonists discover an underground cave. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a strange force takes hold of the pair. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying fright fest, blending moments of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and presents them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and distant from his network of friends. He dreads the notion of totally forfeiting his sense of self in his partner. This fear is intensified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he refrains from painting Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
The couple grapple with the type of challenges that come with long-term unions over a long period. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They still laugh together, offer support, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that single viewers have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for staying single. On the other hand, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could function as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your significant other and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu now.
