We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate the horror genre: Sit down with your loved one and view Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its streaming debut on Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like typical body horror, but beneath Together resides a intense meditation about how we choose to love one another.
An Introductory Film Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for over ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a particular energy to their roles, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The plot begins when the couple transition from the urban environment to the rural area for her career. A familiar narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the cliches cease. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their country house, a storm hits, and the two fall into an underground cave. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a strange force takes hold of the couple. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying horror experience, weaving in elements of dreamlike terrors, gross (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes during something horrific). Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and presents them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
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. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and distant from his social circle. He is terrified of the concept of completely losing his individual identity in another person. This fear is intensified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he never makes one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Both characters face the sort of issues that arise in most partnerships over a long period. Deep down, they still love each other. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory avoids being clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that single viewers have interpreted the film as a powerful case for remaining unattached. On the other hand, some couples having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could act as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply look at your other half and say, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu now.
