Here's a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of the horror genre: Settle in with your partner and stream Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its streaming debut on Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like typical biological terror, but beneath Together lies a deep examination about our choices in loving each other.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for a decade. Married in real life in 2017, the two stars infuse a unique chemistry to their characters, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The story commences when Tim and Millie relocate from the big city to the rural area for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical story element, admittedly, but that’s largely where the tropes conclude. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their new home, a storm hits, and the two tumble into an underground cave. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a strange force takes hold of the pair. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a methodically building horror experience, weaving in elements of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). The director skillfully blends these components seamlessly and wraps them up in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his floundering music career inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and far away from his network of friends. He fears the idea of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he can’t drive and needs Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together avoids making Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
The couple confront the type of challenges that come with long-term unions over a long period. At their core, they still love one another. They still laugh together, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these fears of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the allegory never feels clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that single viewers have understood the narrative as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could act as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply turn to your other half and state, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
