Consider this a challenge for partners in committed relationships who are fans of scary movies: Sit down with your significant other and view Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its online premiere on the Hulu service. On the surface, it might appear like typical body horror, but within Together exists a profound contemplation about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for over ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, the two stars infuse a special spark to their roles, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The plot commences when the couple transition from the urban environment to the countryside for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s primarily where the cliches cease. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity takes hold of the couple. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying horror experience, blending elements of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes during something grotesque). The director weaves these elements together neatly and delivers them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and far away from his support system. He dreads the concept of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is amplified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he never makes one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie confront the kind of problems that come with any relationship a decade in. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these anxieties of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor never feels hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, some couples who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your partner and state, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can experience today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform now.
