We present a dare for long-term couples who are fans of the horror genre: Get comfortable with your partner and stream Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its online premiere via Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like standard body horror, but beneath Together resides a intense contemplation about our choices in loving each other.
A Directorial Debut Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for a decade. Having wed in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a particular energy to their characters, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The story starts when the couple relocate from the urban environment to the countryside for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, of course, but that’s primarily where the conventions end. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the protagonists fall into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity starts to affect the pair. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying horror experience, interspersing bits of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). The director skillfully blends these components expertly and wraps them up in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is suffering due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and distant from his support system. He fears the concept of totally forfeiting his sense of self in his partner. This fear is intensified by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he never makes Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Both characters face the sort of issues that are inherent in most partnerships after ten years. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism never feels overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that single viewers have interpreted the film as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Conversely, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could act as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the finale inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply look at your partner and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform at present.
