Consider this a test for partners in committed relationships who enjoy scary movies: Get comfortable with your partner and view Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its online premiere on the Hulu service. At first glance, it could look like conventional body horror, but inside Together resides a intense meditation about how we choose to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together represents the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for over ten years. Married in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a unique chemistry to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The story begins when Tim and Millie move from the metropolis to the rural area for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical story element, of course, but that’s largely where the conventions cease. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their country house, a storm hits, and the protagonists discover an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a strange force takes hold of the duo. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a methodically building fright fest, weaving in elements of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but never too gross) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). The director skillfully blends these components expertly and wraps them up in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and distant from his support system. He is terrified of the concept of completely losing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie refrains from painting one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie grapple with the type of challenges that come with long-term unions a decade in. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these fears of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. It has been said that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a strong argument for staying single. Conversely, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the ending inspire anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your significant other and say, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can undertake right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
