We present a challenge for long-term couples who appreciate horror films: Sit down with your significant other and stream Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. On the surface, it could look like standard physical horror, but inside Together exists a intense meditation about our choices in loving each other.
An Introductory Film Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together is the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have been together for ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a particular energy to their characters, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The narrative commences when Tim and Millie relocate from the big city to the country for her career. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s largely where the conventions conclude. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the two discover an underground cave. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity takes hold of the couple. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The entire film is a slow burn horror experience, weaving in moments of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but never too gross) physical transformations, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). The director weaves these elements together expertly and delivers them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and removed from his support system. He fears the notion of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie never makes either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Both characters face the type of challenges that are inherent in long-term unions after ten years. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these concerns of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism avoids being overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could act as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the finale inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply look at your other half and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can experience at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
