Consider this a dare for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of scary movies: Get comfortable with your loved one and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its online premiere via Hulu. Outwardly, it may seem like typical body horror, but beneath Together resides a profound meditation about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have been together for a decade. Married in actuality in 2017, the two stars infuse a particular energy to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The story starts when Millie and Tim transition from the big city to the countryside for her career. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s mostly where the tropes end. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their country house, a storm hits, and the protagonists discover an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence takes hold of the pair. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The entire film is a methodically building fright fest, weaving in bits of dreamlike terrors, gross (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes during something horrific). The director weaves these elements together expertly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and removed from his network of friends. He is terrified of the concept of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is intensified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he avoids making Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie confront the sort of issues that are inherent in long-term unions over a long period. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these concerns of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor never feels clumsy or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights serve the other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a powerful case for staying single. On the other hand, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the ending sow anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your other half and state, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can undertake right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
