We present a dare for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of horror films: Get comfortable with your partner and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its online premiere via Hulu. On the surface, it could look like typical body horror, but within Together lies a deep examination about our choices in loving our partners.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for a decade. Married in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a particular energy to their roles, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when Millie and Tim relocate from the big city to the country for professional reasons. A familiar plot device, of course, but that’s mostly where the cliches conclude. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their new home, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim discover an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity starts to affect the pair. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The whole movie is a slow burn of scares, weaving in elements of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but never too gross) physical transformations, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes amidst something horrific). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and presents them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they deftly portray countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the notion of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is intensified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in Together never makes one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
The couple confront the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship a decade in. Fundamentally, they continue to care for one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory never feels clumsy or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. It has been said that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. On the other hand, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could function as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the finale inspire anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply turn to your significant other and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu as of this moment.
