Here's a challenge for partners in committed relationships who appreciate 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. Outwardly, it may seem like standard body horror, but within Together resides a deep examination about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for a decade. Married in reality in 2017, the actors bring a particular energy to their characters, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The plot begins when Millie and Tim move from the metropolis to the rural area for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the tropes cease. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim tumble into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a strange force begins influencing the pair. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, interspersing elements of dreamlike terrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes during something grotesque). Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and wraps them up in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his floundering music career inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and removed from his support system. He is terrified of the concept of completely losing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie refrains from painting Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Both characters confront the sort of issues that arise in most partnerships a decade in. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to another person, the metaphor avoids being clumsy or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said 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 make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could function as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your partner and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can undertake today.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
