We present a dare for long-term couples who appreciate horror films: Sit down with your significant other and stream Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its streaming debut via Hulu. Outwardly, it may seem like conventional body horror, but within Together exists a profound contemplation about how we choose to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together is the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for a decade. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the two stars bring a special spark to their roles, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The story starts when Millie and Tim relocate from the metropolis to the countryside for her career. A somewhat stereotypical story element, sure, but that’s largely where the tropes cease. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists fall into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a strange force takes hold of the pair. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a methodically building fright fest, blending elements of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but never too gross) body horror, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and distant from his social circle. He is terrified of the notion of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is amplified by the reality he can’t drive and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he never makes either of his characters the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie grapple with the sort of issues that arise in most partnerships a decade in. Fundamentally, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of codependency and totally devoting oneself to another person, the symbolism never feels hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have understood the narrative as a powerful case for staying single. Conversely, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could function as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your significant other and say, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu now.
