Consider this a test for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy scary movies: Get comfortable with your significant other and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like typical body horror, but within Together resides a profound contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together is the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for a decade. Having wed in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a unique chemistry to their characters, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The narrative begins when the couple move from the metropolis to the country for Millie’s job. A familiar plot device, admittedly, but that’s largely where the conventions conclude. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their country house, a storm hits, and the protagonists tumble into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a strange force starts to affect the couple. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn fright fest, weaving in elements of fever-dream horrors, gross (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and presents them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and removed from his social circle. He is terrified of the concept of totally forfeiting his sense of self in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie refrains from painting one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie confront the sort of issues that are inherent in long-term unions after ten years. At their core, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these concerns of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism never feels hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama work together symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Conversely, some couples having disagreements found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could function as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale inspire anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply look at your partner and say, “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 the streaming service Hulu now.
