Consider this a test for partners in committed relationships who appreciate horror films: Settle in with your loved one and view Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its streaming debut on Hulu. At first glance, it could look like conventional body horror, but beneath Together resides a deep contemplation about our choices in loving one another.
A Directorial Debut Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the actors contribute a special spark to their characters, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The story commences when the couple relocate from the urban environment to the countryside for her career. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s primarily where the cliches end. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the protagonists tumble into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a strange force starts to affect the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The whole movie is a slow burn of scares, blending elements of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes during something disturbing). The director orchestrates these parts neatly and presents them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and far away from his social circle. He fears the notion of completely losing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is intensified by the fact he can’t drive and needs Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together avoids making one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
The couple grapple with the kind of problems that are inherent in any relationship after ten years. Deep down, they still love one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to another person, the symbolism does not come across as clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Conversely, some couples having disagreements found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could act as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the ending sow anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your other half and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform at present.
