We present a test for partners in committed relationships who enjoy scary movies: Settle in with your loved one and view Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. On the surface, it may seem like typical body horror, but within Together exists a profound meditation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Debut Feature Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, partners that have remained a couple for a decade. United in marriage in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a particular energy to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The narrative begins when Tim and Millie move from the urban environment to the countryside for her career. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, of course, but that’s mostly where the tropes cease. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the protagonists tumble into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a strange force takes hold of the couple. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying fright fest, blending bits of dreamlike terrors, gross (but never too gross) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and far away from his network of friends. He is terrified of the concept of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie avoids making either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie grapple with the kind of problems that arise in long-term unions over a long period. Deep down, they still love each other. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor never feels hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Conversely, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could act as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply look at your partner and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu as of this moment.
