We present a test for partners in committed relationships who enjoy horror films: Get comfortable with your loved one and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its online premiere on the Hulu service. At first glance, it might appear like conventional body horror, but within Together resides a deep contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
A Debut Feature Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together is the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have been together for ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, the two stars bring a special spark to their characters, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The narrative starts when the couple relocate from the urban environment to the country for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, sure, but that’s primarily where the conventions end. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the two fall into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity takes hold of the duo. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The whole movie is a slow burn of scares, weaving in moments of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but tastefully done) body horror, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes amidst something horrific). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his floundering music career inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and removed from his support system. He is terrified of the idea of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is amplified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he refrains from painting one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Both characters face the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships after ten years. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism never feels clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a strong argument for staying single. Conversely, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion plant anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your other half and state, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can experience right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
