We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy the horror genre: Settle in with your partner and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like conventional body horror, but within Together lies a deep contemplation about our choices in loving each other.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for over ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the two stars contribute a unique chemistry to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The narrative commences when the couple transition from the big city to the country for Millie’s job. A commonly used plot device, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the cliches cease. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the protagonists discover an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity starts to affect the pair. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The entire film is a methodically building horror experience, weaving in bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but never too gross) body horror, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). The director orchestrates these parts expertly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and removed from his network of friends. He dreads the notion of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is amplified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision is that he never makes one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Both characters confront the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships after ten years. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these fears of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory avoids being hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Conversely, some couples having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could function as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale sow anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply look at your other half and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can experience right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform now.
