Consider this a dare for partners in committed relationships who are fans of scary movies: Sit down with your partner and view Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. On the surface, it may seem like standard body horror, but within Together lies a intense meditation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Debut Feature Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have been together for over ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, the two stars bring a special spark to their roles, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The story begins when Tim and Millie transition from the urban environment to the countryside for her career. A commonly used narrative setup, sure, but that’s primarily where the conventions conclude. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their country house, a tempest descends, and the protagonists discover an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence begins influencing the pair. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a slow burn of scares, interspersing bits of dreamlike terrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). The director skillfully blends these components seamlessly and delivers them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and distant from his network of friends. He is terrified of the concept of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is intensified by the fact he can’t drive and needs Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together never makes either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that are inherent in any relationship over a long period. At their core, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these fears of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have seen the movie as a powerful case for staying single. Conversely, certain partners having disagreements found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your significant other and say, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can experience right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
