Here's a challenge for partners in committed relationships who enjoy scary movies: Settle in with your significant other and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its online premiere on the Hulu service. At first glance, it could look like standard body horror, but inside Together exists a profound contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
An Introductory Film Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for a decade. Having wed in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a particular energy to their characters, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The story begins when Tim and Millie transition from the urban environment to the country for her career. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, sure, but that’s primarily where the conventions cease. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their country house, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim fall into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a strange force takes hold of the pair. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past simple connection.
The complete narrative is a slow burn of scares, interspersing bits of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but never too gross) physical transformations, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes during something grotesque). Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and presents them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and distant from his network of friends. He fears the idea of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is amplified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he refrains from painting one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie face the kind of problems that are inherent in long-term unions over a long period. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory avoids being hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for staying single. On the other hand, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could act as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply look at your partner and say, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can undertake right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu as of this moment.
